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Higher Nervous Functions: The Orienting Reflex

Higher Nervous Functions: The Orienting Reflex By E. N. SOKOLOV Moscow University, Moscow, USSR The i nvestigation of higher nervous functions demands detailed analysis of the orienting reflex as a part of the complex exploratory behavior of ani­ mals and man. The classical characterization of the orienting reflex was given by Pavlov ( 1 , p. 27), the first to study it physiologically: It is this reflex which brings about the immediate response in man and animals to the slightest changes in the world around them, so that they immediately orientate their appropriate receptor-organ in accordance with the perceptible q uality in the agent bringing about the change, making full investigation of it. The biological sig­ nificance of this reflex is obvious. If the animal were not provided with such a reflex its life would hang at every moment by a thread. In man this reflex has been greatly de­ veloped in its highest form by inquisitiveness-the parent of that scientific method through which we hope one day to come to a true orientation in knowledge of the world around us. Pavlov's studies of the orienting reflex have recently begun again to attract the attention of neurophysiologists. Several recent books deal with this problem http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Annual Review of Physiology Annual Reviews

Higher Nervous Functions: The Orienting Reflex

Sokolov, E N
Annual Review of Physiology , Volume 25 (1) – Mar 1, 1963
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References (1)

Publisher
Annual Reviews
Copyright
Copyright 1963 Annual Reviews. All rights reserved
Subject
Review Articles
ISSN
0066-4278
eISSN
1545-1585
DOI
10.1146/annurev.ph.25.030163.002553
pmid
13977960
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

By E. N. SOKOLOV Moscow University, Moscow, USSR The i nvestigation of higher nervous functions demands detailed analysis of the orienting reflex as a part of the complex exploratory behavior of ani­ mals and man. The classical characterization of the orienting reflex was given by Pavlov ( 1 , p. 27), the first to study it physiologically: It is this reflex which brings about the immediate response in man and animals to the slightest changes in the world around them, so that they immediately orientate their appropriate receptor-organ in accordance with the perceptible q uality in the agent bringing about the change, making full investigation of it. The biological sig­ nificance of this reflex is obvious. If the animal were not provided with such a reflex its life would hang at every moment by a thread. In man this reflex has been greatly de­ veloped in its highest form by inquisitiveness-the parent of that scientific method through which we hope one day to come to a true orientation in knowledge of the world around us. Pavlov's studies of the orienting reflex have recently begun again to attract the attention of neurophysiologists. Several recent books deal with this problem

Journal

Annual Review of Physiology – Annual Reviews

Published: Mar 1, 1963

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