When we develop a reflex, there is also a type of neurological learning acquired. For example, let's say you want to bake a casserole. After preparing and baking this perfect casserole, you reach into the oven to take it out and forgot your oven mitts! The nerves trigger a reflex to let go and drop your casserole dish which breaks the dish and splatters your dinner all over the floor. The brain cognitively considers this reflex and thinks that perhaps that reflex was a bad way to cope with the situation (punisher). It realizes that reflex = loss of food= loss of casserole dish= big mess. The next time you make a casserole and reach in to grab the dish without a pot holder, the brain will remember this consideration and plug in a new reflex. Perhaps this time you jerk your hand away quicker before picking it up, or you toss it hand to hand until you set it down, or a number of other options.  

 

The point is that the nervous system is always looking for two things: Your safety and well being, and the most effective and efficient way to operate (reinforcer). Once it finds this, it makes it a norm of operation. So we have a couple of levels of homeostasis in the works. Balance in well being, balance in operations and functions. This also means it leads to what can be considered subconscious learning. Because not only the nerves remember how to perform the most effective and efficient reflex (neuro-physiological learning), but your brain will also associate to reaching into the oven without a pot holder as a very bad idea.  

 

Any thoughts or questions?