Differentiation of orienting and defence reflexes
Differentiation of orienting and defence reflexes
Sokolov (1963a) has described several different reflexes which are said to be elicited by simple stimuli. Of these, the orienting reflex (OR) and defence reflex (DR) have been differentiated in terms of their functional siginificance and component reactions. In particular, Sokolov has stressed the importance of peripheral measures which reflect the activity of the autonomic nervous system when distinguishing between these reflexes. Unfortunately, the suggested differences between the autonomic response components of the OR and DR have proven difficult to observe. A review of recent research conducted mainly in the West has failed to provide evidence for Sokolov's model of OR/DR differentiation. A number of possible factors which might account for this failure to replicate Sokolov's original findings have been identified. Accordingly, experiments were performed which examined the effects of auditory stimulus intensity upon the form of a variety of electrodermal and cardiovascular measures. The aim of these experiments was to re-examine the differential activity of autonomic response components of the OR and DR. The results yielded little evidence for Sokolov's scheme of OR/DR differentiation. Although, partial support was obtained for the identity of OR autonomic response components, the predicted pattern of DR response components was disconfirmed. Specifically, no evidence of a slowly habituating reflex was obtained and nor was the effect of stimulus intensity on cephalic vasomotor activity consistent with that predicted by Sokolov. Thus, a revised model of integrated reflex activity was formulated based upon the distinction between the orienting and startle reflexes. In addition, the DR was redefined in terms of a long-latency, neurchumorally mediated reflex system.
University of Southampton
Turpin, Graham Clifford Henry
1982
Turpin, Graham Clifford Henry
Turpin, Graham Clifford Henry
(1982)
Differentiation of orienting and defence reflexes.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
Sokolov (1963a) has described several different reflexes which are said to be elicited by simple stimuli. Of these, the orienting reflex (OR) and defence reflex (DR) have been differentiated in terms of their functional siginificance and component reactions. In particular, Sokolov has stressed the importance of peripheral measures which reflect the activity of the autonomic nervous system when distinguishing between these reflexes. Unfortunately, the suggested differences between the autonomic response components of the OR and DR have proven difficult to observe. A review of recent research conducted mainly in the West has failed to provide evidence for Sokolov's model of OR/DR differentiation. A number of possible factors which might account for this failure to replicate Sokolov's original findings have been identified. Accordingly, experiments were performed which examined the effects of auditory stimulus intensity upon the form of a variety of electrodermal and cardiovascular measures. The aim of these experiments was to re-examine the differential activity of autonomic response components of the OR and DR. The results yielded little evidence for Sokolov's scheme of OR/DR differentiation. Although, partial support was obtained for the identity of OR autonomic response components, the predicted pattern of DR response components was disconfirmed. Specifically, no evidence of a slowly habituating reflex was obtained and nor was the effect of stimulus intensity on cephalic vasomotor activity consistent with that predicted by Sokolov. Thus, a revised model of integrated reflex activity was formulated based upon the distinction between the orienting and startle reflexes. In addition, the DR was redefined in terms of a long-latency, neurchumorally mediated reflex system.
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Published date: 1982
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Local EPrints ID: 459952
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/459952
PURE UUID: 12d65ae8-8922-4d40-b880-3928e2a70baa
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 17:28
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 17:28
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Author:
Graham Clifford Henry Turpin
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