All organisms are born with innate reactions that help them survive. Unconditioned reflexes are distinguished by their constancy, the same response can be observed to the same irritation.
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 - this 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 his own distinctive features of behavior, attitudes and beliefs, habits that are formed throughout life. The basis of all these features is 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 for studying the work of the higher parts of the nervous system. Also in the course of his research, he studied the mechanisms underlying the work of higher structures of the nervous system and proved experimentally that these are conditioned reflexes.
GNI Properties
The main features of the nervous system are transmitted to humans by inheritance. The properties of GNI include:
- The power 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 stimulating factors.
You can give an example: in airplanes there is loud noise during the flight, for an adult it is not a strong irritant, but in children who still have weak nervous processes, it can cause outrageous inhibition.
All people can be classified into two categories: the first has a strong nervous system, and the second has a weak. In individuals with a strong type, the nervous system can be balanced and unbalanced.
Balance 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 change 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 poise determines the type of GNI. They are distinguished by several:
- Strong, agile and balanced.
- Strong and unbalanced.
- Strong, balanced, inert.
- Weak type.
GNI is also functions related to speech, therefore, a person distinguishes types that are characteristic only for him, and they are associated with the interaction of the first and second signal system:
- Thoughtful. The second signaling system comes to the fore. Such people have well-developed abstract thinking.
- Art type. The 1st signal system is clearly manifested.
- Middle. Both systems are balanced.
The physiology of GNI is such that the hereditary features 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
Hippocrates subdivided people into various categories having their own temperament. Features GNI just determine the affiliation 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. They say such people expressively, using gestures, but without unnecessary facial expressions.
The fading and restoration of conditional relationships is easy and fast. If a child has such a temperament, then he has good abilities and lends himself well to education.
Choleric
In such people, excitation processes prevail over inhibition. Conditioned reflexes are developed with great ease, but their inhibition, on the contrary, occurs with difficulty. Choleric people are always mobile, cannot concentrate on one thing for a long time.
GNI is behavior, and in people with such a temperament, it often requires a rigorous correction, especially in children. In childhood, choleric can behave aggressively and defiantly, this is due to high excitability and weak inhibition of nervous processes.
Phlegmatic person
The GNI of a person with a strong and balanced nervous system, but a slow switch between mental processes, is referred to as phlegmatic temperament.
Reflexes form, but much more slowly. Such people talk slowly, measured and calm speech, without any facial expressions and gestures. A child’s GNI 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 tolerate the effects of strong irritants, they begin to respond to the limit of inhibition. It is very difficult for melancholy people to get used to the new team, especially for children. All reflexes are formed slowly, after repeated combination with an unconditioned stimulus.
Movement, speech of such people is slow, measured. They, as a rule, do not make unnecessary movements. If you look at the child with such a temperament, you can say that he is constantly afraid of something, can never fend for himself.
Distinctive features of the higher nervous activity of man
The physiology of GNI is such that in the presence of any temperament in a person, it is possible to develop and educate all those qualities and personality traits that are simply necessary in society.
In each temperament, one can note both their positive qualities and negative ones. It is very important in the process of education to prevent the development of undesirable personality traits.
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:
- GNI 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 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 has a social nature. Any stimulus is socially refracted; therefore, all adaptive activity has complex forms.
- The presence of speech in people gives them the opportunity to think abstractly, and this leaves its mark on human behavior and activity.
Varieties of GNI in humans are of great practical importance, it can be described as follows:
- It has already been scientifically proven that most diseases of the central nervous system are directly related to the characteristics of the course of nervous processes. For example, people with a weak type can be considered potential clients of the neurosis clinic.
- For many diseases, a feature of GNI also imprints. 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 considered when prescribing treatment.
The behavior of people is most often determined not by the characteristics of temperament, but by the conditions of their life in society, by their relationship with reality. Features of mental processes can 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.