Higher reflexes: an attempt at comprehensive classification of neuro-behavioral activity

The term reflex is used in its widest sense and denotes the neural processes and effector responses controlled by the evoking stimulus and the feedback stimuli. The reflexes having their specific component facilitated by drive central processes are denoted as higher. Escape, avoidance and approach higher reflexes are distinguished: they include, respectively, pain, fear and appetite drive central processes. Approach reflex contains in addition pleasure central processes. Higher reflexes are usually in a chain from. The role of the consummatory stage, which is present is some escape and approach reflexes, is analysed. The reflexes are grouped in several systems according to the particular functions they perform in an organism.