Orienting response
Encyclopedia
The orienting response, also called orienting reflex, is an organism's immediate response to a change in its environment, when that change is not sudden enough to elicit the startle reflex. The phenomenon was first described by Russian physiologist Ivan Sechenov
in his 1863 book Reflexes of the Brain, and the term was coined by Ivan Pavlov
, who also referred to it as the Shto eto takoi? reflex (Shto eto takoi? is an emphatic way of asking "What is it?"). The orienting response is a reaction to novelty. In the 1950s the orienting response was studied systematically by the Russian scientist Eugene Sokolov, who documented the phenomenon called "habituation", referring to a gradual "familiarity effect" and reduction of the orienting response with repeated stimulus presentations.
This reflex can be controlled by the cerebral cortex
, but more typically it is controlled by subcortical brain regions.
In his 2007 book The Assault on Reason
, Al Gore
posited that watching television has an impact on the orienting response, an effect similar to vicarious traumatization
.
Ivan Sechenov
Ivan Mikhaylovich Sechenov near Simbirsk, Russia – , Moscow), was a Russian physiologist, named by Ivan Pavlov as "The Father of Russian physiology"...
in his 1863 book Reflexes of the Brain, and the term was coined by Ivan Pavlov
Ivan Pavlov
Ivan Petrovich Pavlov was a famous Russian physiologist. Although he made significant contributions to psychology, he was not in fact a psychologist himself but was a mathematician and actually had strong distaste for the field....
, who also referred to it as the Shto eto takoi? reflex (Shto eto takoi? is an emphatic way of asking "What is it?"). The orienting response is a reaction to novelty. In the 1950s the orienting response was studied systematically by the Russian scientist Eugene Sokolov, who documented the phenomenon called "habituation", referring to a gradual "familiarity effect" and reduction of the orienting response with repeated stimulus presentations.
Description
When people see a bright flash or light or hear a sudden loud noise, they pay attention to it even before they identify it. This orienting reflex seems to be present from birth. It is useful in helping people react quickly to events that call for immediate action.This reflex can be controlled by the cerebral cortex
Cerebral cortex
The cerebral cortex is a sheet of neural tissue that is outermost to the cerebrum of the mammalian brain. It plays a key role in memory, attention, perceptual awareness, thought, language, and consciousness. It is constituted of up to six horizontal layers, each of which has a different...
, but more typically it is controlled by subcortical brain regions.
In his 2007 book The Assault on Reason
The Assault on Reason
The Assault on Reason is a 2007 book written by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. In the book, Gore argues that there is a trend in U.S. politics toward ignoring facts and analysis when making policy decisions. He heavily criticizes the George W...
, Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
posited that watching television has an impact on the orienting response, an effect similar to vicarious traumatization
Vicarious traumatization
Vicarious traumatization is a transformation in the self of a trauma worker or helper that results from empathic engagement with traumatized clients and their reports of traumatic experiences. Its hallmark is disrupted spirituality, or meaning and hope...
.