All organisms are born with innate reactions that help them survive. Unconditioned reflexes are distinguished by their constancy, the same stimulus can be observed the same response.
But the world around us is constantly changing, and the body is forced to adapt to new conditions, and here only innate reflexes can not cope. The higher parts of the brain are included in the work, which ensure a normal existence and adaptation to constantly changing environmental conditions.
Higher nervous activity
GNI is the work of all subcortical formations and the cerebral cortex. This is a fairly broad concept, which includes:
- Mental activity.
- Features of behavior.
Each person has their own distinctive behaviors, attitudes and beliefs, habits that are formed throughout life. All these features are based on a system of conditioned reflexes, they are formed under the influence of the environment and the hereditary characteristics of the nervous system.
Pavlov worked on GNI for a long time, he developed an objective method of studyingwork of the higher parts of the nervous system. Also, in the course of his research, he studied the mechanisms underlying the work of the higher structures of the nervous system and proved experimentally that these are conditioned reflexes.
GNI properties
The main features of the nervous system are inherited by a person. The properties of GNI include:
- The strength of nervous processes.
- Equilibrium.
- Mobility.
The first property is considered the most important, it is characterized by the ability of the nervous system to withstand prolonged exposure to exciting factors.
You can give this example: in airplanes, loud noise during the flight, for an adult this is not a strong irritant, but for children who still have weak nervous processes, it can cause prohibitive braking.
All people can be classified into two categories: the first has a strong nervous system, and the second has a weak one. In individuals with a strong type, the nervous system can be balanced and unbalanced.
Equilibrium is characterized by a high rate of development of conditioned reflexes.
Such a property as mobility depends on how quickly the processes of inhibition and excitation replace each other. People who easily switch from one activity to another have a mobile nervous system.
Types of GNI
Mental processes and behavioral reactions in each person have their own individual characteristics. The combination of strength, mobility and balance determines the type of GNI. They are distinguishedmultiple:
- Strong, agile and balanced.
- Strong and unbalanced.
- Strong, balanced, inert.
- Weak type.
GNA is also a function associated with speech, therefore, a person has types that are characteristic only for him, and they are associated with the interaction of the first and second signal systems:
- Thinking. The second signal system comes to the fore. Such people have well-developed abstract thinking.
- Artistic type. The 1st signal system is clearly manifested.
- Medium. Both systems are balanced.
The physiology of GNI is such that the hereditary characteristics of the course of mental processes can undergo changes under the influence of education, this is due to the fact that there is such a quality as plasticity.
Sanguine
Even Hippocrates divided people into different categories with their own temperament. The peculiarities of GNI just determine the belonging of people to one or another type.
A strong nervous system with mobile processes is characteristic of sanguine people. All reflexes in such people are formed quickly, speech is loud and clear. Such people speak expressively, using gestures, but without unnecessary facial expressions.
The fading and restoration of conditional connections is easy and fast. If a child has such a temperament, then he has good abilities, lends himself well to education.
Choleric
In such people, excitation processes prevail over inhibition. Conditioned reflexes are developed with great ease, but theirbraking, on the contrary, occurs with difficulty. Cholerics are always mobile, they cannot concentrate on one thing for a long time.
GNI is also behavior, and in people with such a temperament it often requires strict correction, especially in children. In childhood, choleric people can behave aggressively and defiantly, this is due to high excitability and weak inhibition of nervous processes.
Phlegmatic
GNI of a person with a strong and balanced nervous system, but slow switching between mental processes is referred to as a phlegmatic temperament.
Reflexes are formed, but much more slowly. Such people speak slowly, their speech is measured and calm, without any facial expressions and gestures. The GNI of a child with such a temperament has such features that make such children assiduous, disciplined. They complete all tasks conscientiously, but slowly.
It is very important for parents and teachers to know this feature and take it into account during classes and communication.
Melancholic
Types of GNI differ in their properties and features of the functioning of the nervous system. If it is weak, then we can talk about a melancholic temperament.
Such people with great difficulty endure the impact of strong stimuli, they begin to respond with prohibitive inhibition. It is very difficult for melancholic people to get used to a new team, especially for children. All reflexes are formed slowly, after repeated combination with an unconditioned stimulus.
Movement, the speech of such people is slow, measured. They usually do not make unnecessary movements. If you look at a child with such a temperament from the outside, we can say that he is constantly afraid of something, he can never stand up for himself.
Distinctive features of human higher nervous activity
The physiology of GNI is such that in the presence of any temperament in a person, you can develop and educate all those qualities and personality traits that are simply necessary in society.
In each temperament, you can note both its positive qualities and negative ones. It is very important in the process of education not to allow undesirable personality traits to develop.
A person is characterized by the presence of a second signaling system, and this significantly complicates his behavior and mental processes.
Features can also include:
- GNA is a conditioned reflex activity that is acquired throughout life. When compared with animals, it is much richer and more diverse. This is due to the fact that a large number of temporary connections are formed, and there are complex relationships between them.
- A high degree of development of rational activity, which manifests itself in the form of thinking.
- Awareness of the internal processes of life.
- GNI in humans also has a social nature. Any stimulus is socially refracted, so all adaptive activity has complex forms.
- The presence of speech in people gives them the ability to think abstractly, and this leaves its mark on behavior andhuman activity.
Varieties of GNI in people are also of great practical importance, it can be characterized as follows:
- It has been scientifically proven that most CNS diseases are directly related to the peculiarities of the course of nervous processes. For example, people with a weak type can be considered potential clients of a neurosis clinic.
- The course of many diseases is also affected by the peculiarity of GNI. If the nervous system is strong, then the disease is more easily tolerated, and recovery comes faster.
- The effect of drugs on the body to some extent depends on the individual characteristics of GNI. This can and should be taken into account when prescribing treatment.
People's behavior is most often determined not by the characteristics of temperament, but by the conditions of their life in society, their relationship with reality. Features of mental processes may leave their mark, but they are not decisive.
The type of nervous activity should not be discounted, but it must be remembered that temperament is of subordinate importance and is only a prerequisite for the development of important personality traits.
