A sneeze is a reflex act: it is an involuntary reaction.
The term reflex comes from the Latin reflexus and has several uses. A reflex can be an involuntary response to a stimulus ; the reflected light or the image of someone or something that is reflected on a surface; that which reveals something else ; and a person's ability to react quickly and efficiently, for example.
As an involuntary response , the reflex is a pattern of behavior that is repeated throughout an entire species. It is a local response, which involves only part of the organism, and whose mechanism is set in motion automatically.
A reflex act is an involuntary action that takes place when a sensory receptor is stimulated. The sensory neuron receives the stimulus and sends it to a reflex center located in the spinal cord; This relays it to a motor neuron, which responds to the stimulus, activates the secretion of a gland or produces a muscle movement.
The reflection in psychology
Within psychology we find the fact that there are several types of reflexes. Thus, on the one hand, there is what is known as a conditioned reflex , which is one that occurs when, in the absence of a specific stimulus, it is provoked by another that has been previously associated but that has not been specific at all.
That is the complete opposite of what is called the unconditioned reflex . Specifically, this is the one that is defined by being innate, by being part of the essence of our being from the moment we are born. That is, it is one that is linked to a basic behavior that has survival as its clear objective.
In this way, we can determine that the clear and exact difference that exists between conditioned and unconditioned reflexes is that while the former are learned, the latter are absolutely innate.
The idea of reflection can be linked to the reflection of light.
Some examples
To show this differentiation between the two, there is nothing better than establishing it using some examples. Thus, we can determine that a conditioned reflex is that of Paulov's dogs, that is, those animals that learned that when a bell was rung it was time to eat and that is how at some point when they heard it they began to salivate because they knew that It was time to satisfy his hunger.
On the other hand, a perfect example to understand what an unconditioned reflex is is removing our hand from the fire when we get burned. And we have not learned that action, it is innate.
Reflection as reflection of light
As a reflection of light, a reflection is the change of direction of a ray or wave that occurs at the vanishing surface of two media.
This reflection can be specular (as happens in a mirror) or diffuse (the image is preserved, but the energy is reflected).
Other uses of the concept
On the other hand, a reflection is something that reveals something else. For example: “His anger with the coach was a reflection of a bad relationship that has been going on for several months.”
Finally, reflex as a person's ability refers to their way of reacting: “He tried to hit him, but he was able to avoid the punch thanks to his good reflexes.”