Reflection is an indispensable tool in mastering the material

A person is considered a unique biological species on the planet, the only one that possesses a high type of thinking. But it will be unreasonable to deny our animal nature. As far as the developed beings are, it is important to remember that thinking and behavior are subject to the same general rules as animals.

One of the most important properties of multicellular living organisms, including humans, is the presence of reflexes. By definition, these are some stereotypical manifestations that arise as a reaction to external influences and which take place with the participation of the nervous system. There are conditional and unconditioned reflexes.

Origin and definition of the term

For the first time the concept of reflex was applied in the seventeenth century, but it acquired its true meaning much later. Two Russian scientists are directly involved in the wide dissemination of this term: IM Sechenov and IP Pavlov, the founder of the science of physiology. The latter is known for the experimental approach, which at one time gave scientists a lot of useful and reliable information. Pavlov managed to significantly expand the views of his predecessor on the principles of the nervous system of animals. He also introduced the concept of two types of reflexes. A significant contribution to this teaching was later made by C.S. Sherrington, awarded the Nobel Prize.

All the innate reactions of the body were attributed to the unconditioned type of reflexes. Their main importance is the preservation and maintenance of life. Such reflexes do not require special conditions for occurrence and are inherent in all representatives of a particular species in equal measure. The simplest example is the production of saliva at the sight of food. More complex manifestation can be considered different instincts, for example, inherent in all higher animals instinct of self-preservation.

Conditional reflexes are acquired with experience throughout life. They are also based on the basis of congenital reactions, but they are of an individual nature. On the emergence of the elaborated reflex in a particular individual, the surrounding conditions play a decisive role. The origin of such a reflex is the correlation of biological reactions of the organism with external stimuli. Thus, the animal can associate eating with light, if such a scheme is repeated many times. Subsequently, his reaction to a lighted bulb will be similar to the reaction that occurs when you see a meal.

Reflection

A concept similar to the word "reflex" actually has little in common with it. Reflection is rather a psychological term. The origin of the word is associated with the Latin language, in translation it means "turning back". According to a simplified definition of modern psychology, reflection is self-analysis, a thoughtful rethinking of the information received and its state.

This term is widely used in pedagogy, as it makes it possible to improve the effectiveness of instruction through better mastering of knowledge. It is noticed that the information is much more deeply imprinted in the child's mind, if to give him time to think about the educational material, and not just read and take note.

Reflection at the lesson and at the end of it

At present, reflection is an indispensable psychological device used together with the supply of educational material. Depending on the objectives, it can be conducted both at the beginning and at the end of the lesson.

For example, emotional reflection helps to create the right mood for children and adjust them to the working atmosphere. Therefore, it is better to conduct it before the beginning of the learning process. As tools, cards, music, pictures or video images are used - everything that affects the sphere of feelings. In addition, emotional reflection is one of the best ways to establish emotional contact with the class.

Reflection at the end of the lesson serves to fix the material obtained. As a rule, the teacher suggests that the children analyze the time spent, their activity and the benefits of knowledge, after which they ask for an overall assessment of the class that has come to an end. It is important that the children in positive form identify the points that are valuable for them: what they learned, what they were surprised or inspired, what discovery was most interesting, what happened.