Properties of nervous processes. Glossary of psychophysiology Strength, balance, mobility of nervous processes

I. P. Pavlov identified three main properties of the nervous system: strength, balance and mobility of nervous processes.

• 1. Nervous System Strength- its most important indicator, which manifests itself in the ability of the nervous system withstand prolonged exposure to loads without reaching a state of extreme braking. The strength of the nervous system is an indicator of the performance of nerve cells and their functional endurance.
• 2. Balance of the nervous system means correspondence between the excitation force and the braking force; a significant predominance of one of these processes over the other indicates an imbalance of the nervous system.
• 3. Mobility of nervous processes characterized the speed and ease of alternation of the processes of excitation and inhibition. The opposite of this property is inertia of nervous processes, excluding their quick and easy restructuring.

Various combinations of strength, balance, and mobility of nervous processes determine, according to I. P. Pavlov, individual characteristics of conditioned reflex activity and temperament. These combinations make up different types of nervous system(rice. 4.1), serve as the physiological basis for those traditionally described in the literature four types of temperament:

• a) a strong, balanced, mobile type of nervous system underlies sanguine temperament;
• b) a strong, balanced, inert type of nervous system corresponds to phlegmatic temperament;
• c) a strong, unbalanced type of nervous system with a predominance of excitation processes over inhibition processes corresponds to choleric temperament;
• d) a weak type of nervous system determines melancholic temperament.

In subsequent years, the teachings of I.P. Pavlov were developed and supplemented. Research by B. M. Teplov, V. D. Nebylitsyn and other scientists, conducted in the 1950-1960s, showed that “the very structure of the properties of the nervous system as neurophysiological changes in temperament is much more complex than previously thought, and the number of main there are much more combinations of these properties than was assumed by I. P. Pavlov.”

Rice. 4.1.

It turned out, for example, that the strength of nervous processes is an indicator not only of the efficiency of the nervous system, but also of its sensitivity (sensitivity), those. increased susceptibility to any incentives.

The concept has also expanded significantly mobility, which came to mean mobility not only in the narrow sense of the word (as the ability of nervous processes to move from one state to another), but also as lability, which is characterized the rate of onset and cessation of nervous processes. Thus, another important property of nervous processes was revealed - dynamism, which is expressed in the ease and speed of generation of processes of excitation or inhibition.

Currently, traditional combinations of properties of the nervous system are supplemented with new properties. In particular, a 12-dimensional classification of the properties of the human nervous system has been outlined based on combinations of at least eight primary ones (strength, mobility, dynamism and lability in relation to excitation and, accordingly, inhibition) and four secondary(balance in strength, mobility, dynamism and lability) properties.

In addition to the above, we also identified other properties of the nervous system, related to temperament:

• 1) reactivity - a property of the nervous system, manifested in involuntary reactions of varying intensity in response to any extraneous influences;
• 2) activity of the nervous system - a property that indicates how energetically a person influences the world around him, learns about it, and overcomes obstacles on the way to his goal.

Reactivity and activity characterize the energy level of human behavior. Their ratio shows whether a person’s behavior is determined to a greater extent by random factors (mood, behavior of others, etc.) or by his persistent intentions and beliefs. For example, the predominance of reactivity is often observed in the behavior of so-called random, situational offenders;

• 3) plasticity and the opposite property, the rigidity of nervous processes, express mobility or inertia of the nervous system, determine how easily and flexibly a person adapts to a changing environment (situation). Plasticity is a professionally important property of temperament, necessary for a lawyer, since it affects the flexibility of his behavior in various situations;
• 4) extroversion - introversion is a characteristic of individual psychological differences, to a certain extent related to temperament, manifested in a person’s greater focus either on the external, surrounding world, or on his inner world, which also significantly affects his behavior.

Compensatory capabilities of the psyche. There is a close and ambiguous relationship between the properties of the nervous system and temperament: the same property of the nervous system can influence several different properties of temperament. As a result, peculiar symptom complexes various properties of the nervous system that correlate with each other. Moreover, in the totality of various signs of a particular property, one of the signs is leading, determining. This largely explains the fairly strong compensatory capabilities of the psyche, allowing a person to adapt to the environment.

Types of temperament. Due to the significant variety of combinations of various properties of the nervous system, along with the four traditional types of temperament, there are a large number of intermediate types, different variants of temperament. Therefore, the problem of clearly dividing people according to general characteristics of the nervous system based only on four types of temperament has given way to a more in-depth study of the individual properties of the nervous system that underlie the temperament of a particular person, who may exhibit traits of different traditionally previously identified types of temperament. By analyzing the properties listed above, we can give a brief psychological description of the four types of temperament traditionally described in the literature as basic ones, so that they can then be used in a comparative analysis of the individual psychological characteristics of different people (Fig. 4.2). For example, sanguine characterized by slightly reduced sensitivity, high reactivity and activity, balance, emotional mobility, plasticity, lability, and extroversion. Those with these temperamental properties are usually very active and productive in their work, especially if it arouses their keen interest. They are mobile, easily adapt to new conditions, can easily make contact with people, but have difficulty performing long, monotonous operations.

Rice. 4.2.

(drawing by X. Bidstrup)

For example, unlike a sanguine person, choleric characterized by increased excitability, high reactivity, activity, increased emotional excitability, extroversion, and an accelerated rate of reactions. Choleric people often demonstrate increased excitability, unbalanced behavior, and a certain cyclical nature of work - from passionate passion for work to complete apathy, accompanied by temporary inactivity. With negative educational influence, the behavior of a choleric person may more often manifest incontinence, reduced self-control, and excessive aggressiveness in emotionally tense, conflict situations.

Against, phlegmatic person characterized by reduced sensitivity, low reactivity, rigidity, reduced emotional excitability, slow rate of reactions, introversion. People with phlegmatic temperament traits are more balanced, thorough in their work, and work successfully in jobs that require methodicality, perseverance, and a meticulous attitude to work. Among the disadvantages of a phlegmatic person, one should note some inertia, inactivity, and the need for additional time to switch from one type of activity to another.

And finally, melancholic characterized by increased sensitivity, low reactivity and decreased activity, rigidity, decreased emotional excitability, negative coloring of emotions, emotional vulnerability, introversion. Due to the fact that the processes of inhibition in a melancholic person prevail over the processes of excitation, strong negative stimuli can have a destructive effect on his behavior and activity in general. Therefore, people endowed to a significant extent with the properties of a melancholic temperament more often experience increased anxiety, are more susceptible to stress, more often overestimate the nature of the threat, and more easily become victims of violent crimes.

• Nebylitsyn V.D. Decree. op. P. 183.
• For more details, see: Rusalov V. M. Biological foundations of individual psychological differences. M., 1979. P. 78.

BALANCE OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM is one of the main properties of the nervous system, expressing the relationship between nervous processes: excitation and inhibition

Psychomotorics: dictionary-reference book. - M.: VLADOS. V.P. Dudiev. 2008.

See what “BALANCE OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM” is in other dictionaries:

Types of nervous system- types of higher nervous activity, a complex of basic innate properties and acquired individual characteristics of the nervous system (HC), which determine in humans and animals differences in their behavior and attitude to the same influences... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

properties of the nervous system- stable features of the nervous system that, ceteris paribus, influence the individual psychological characteristics of a person. Without predetermining its social value, without directly determining the substantive side of the psyche, S. science. With …

dynamism of the nervous system- (from the Greek dynamis force) a property of the nervous system, characterized by the ease of excitation and inhibition during the development of conditioned reflexes. The relationship between the indicators of the dynamics of excitation and inhibition is defined as the balance... Great psychological encyclopedia

type of nervous system- nervous system: type (type of nervous system; type of higher nervous activity) a set of properties of the nervous system that constitute the physiological basis of the individual uniqueness of human activity and animal behavior. The concept of them was introduced by... ... Great psychological encyclopedia

property of the nervous system- nervous system: property is a concept introduced by I.P. Pavlov to designate dynamic, stable features of the nervous system, which, other things being equal, influence individual psychological characteristics. For the most part they... ... Great psychological encyclopedia

PROPERTIES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM- stable features of the nervous system that, ceteris paribus, influence the individual mental characteristics of a person. The concept of S. n. With. was introduced by I.P. Pavlov, he assumed the presence of three main S. sciences. With. 1. Strength ability... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary of Psychology and Pedagogy

Dynamics of the nervous system- according to V.D. Nebylitsyn, an independent and leading property of the nervous system, reflecting the ability to learn in the broad sense of the word. Main characteristics of D. n. With. – ease and speed of formation of a nervous process by brain structures during... Trainer's Dictionary

Properties of the nervous system- (NS) genetically determined characteristics of functioning (NS), which determine differences in behavior and attitude to the same influences of environmental stimuli. The concept of S. n. With. introduced by I. P. Pavlov. He assumed the existence... ... Trainer's Dictionary

properties of the nervous system- strength n. With. the strength of excitation and inhibition processes. mobility of circulatory processes; rate of change from excitation to inhibition and vice versa. poise n. With. the degree of correspondence between the excitation force and the braking force... Ideographic Dictionary of the Russian Language

balance of the nervous process- nervous process: balance is a property of the nervous system, expressing the relationship between excitation and inhibition. The concept was introduced by I.P. Pavlov, was considered by him as one of the independent properties of the nervous system, forming in... ... Great psychological encyclopedia

And in relation to the same influences of the physical and social environment. Without predetermining its social value, without directly determining the substantive side of the psyche, S. science. With. are the physiological basis of the formal-dynamic side, forming the soil on which some forms of behavior are easier to form, and others more difficult.

Pavlov assumed the existence of 3 basic properties.

• strength of nervous processes;
• balance of nervous processes;
• mobility of nervous processes.

The power of nervous processes– the ability to arise adequately to a strong and super-strong stimulus. Strength is the ability of nerve cells to maintain normal performance under significant stress of excitatory and inhibitory processes. The basis is the expression of processes and inhibition. Nervous processes are divided (by strength) into strong (the predominance of excitation processes in the central nervous system) and weak (the predominance of inhibition processes in the central nervous system). It is believed that persons with stronger n. With. more resilient and stress-resistant.

Balance of nervous processes– balance of excitation and inhibition processes. Balance means equal expression of nervous processes. People with a more balanced n. With. are characterized by more balanced behavior

Strong nervous processes (by balance) are divided into:

• balanced (the excitation process is balanced by inhibitory processes);
• unbalanced (a sharp predominance of excitation processes, they are not compensated by inhibition - “uncontrolled type”).

Mobility of nervous processes– the ability to quickly change the processes of excitation and inhibition. Mobility n. With. expressed in the ability to quickly transition from one process to another. Persons with more mobile n. With. They are characterized by flexible behavior and quickly adapt to new conditions.

Strong balanced nervous processes (based on mobility) are divided into:

• mobile (excitation and inhibition easily replace each other)
• motionless (inert: processes change with difficulty).

Subsequently, in connection with new research methods of S. n. pp., especially in the works of B. M. Teplov, V. D. Nebylitsin and their students, were significantly clarified as the structure of the main social sciences. pp., and their neurophysiological content. In addition, several new properties have become known.

Dynamism– the ability of brain structures to quickly generate excitatory and inhibitory processes during the formation of conditioned reactions. This property underlies learning ability.

Lability expressed in the rate of emergence and cessation of nervous processes. More “labile” people, for example, perform motor acts per unit of time much faster.

Activation characterizes the individual level of reaction of activation of the processes of excitation and inhibition, which is the basis of mnemonic abilities.

In the studies of V. S. Merlin and his colleagues, numerous connections were established between the properties of the nervous system and the properties of temperament. There was practically not a single property of temperament that would not be associated with some property of the nervous system. Moreover, one and the same property of temperament can be associated with either a single property of the nervous system or several. Thus, each property of temperament depends on several properties of the nervous system.

The combination of properties of the nervous system determines not only one or another type of temperament. Dependencies have been established between individual properties of the nervous system and personality traits.

Thus, the strength of the excitatory process underlies performance, endurance, courage, boldness, courage, the ability to overcome difficulties, independence, activity, perseverance, vigor, initiative, decisiveness, ardor, and risk-taking.

The strength of the inhibitory process underlies caution, self-control, patience, secrecy, restraint, and composure.

Imbalance due to the predominance of excitation over inhibition causes excitability, risk-taking, ardor, intolerance, and the predominance of persistence over compliance. Such a person is inherent in action than waiting and patience.

Imbalance due to the predominance of inhibition over excitation causes caution, restraint and restraint in behavior, excitement and risk are excluded. Calmness and caution come first.

Balance (balance) of inhibition and excitation presupposes moderation, proportionality of activity, sedateness.

The mobility of the excitatory process is associated with the ability to quickly interrupt the work started, stop halfway, and quickly calm down. At the same time, it is difficult to develop persistence in activity.

The mobility of the inhibitory process is associated with the speed of speech reactions, liveliness of facial expressions, sociability, initiative, responsiveness, dexterity, and endurance. It is difficult for such a person to be secretive, attached and constant.

There is often a significant discrepancy between the results of measuring the properties of n. With. in different analyzers. This phenomenon was called by Nebylitsyn the partiality of the properties of n. pp. that differ in different brain structures are called “particular”, and those representing “super-analyzer” characteristics are called “general”. Initially, “general” properties were associated with the functioning of the anterior (frontal) parts of the brain.

Currently the properties of n. With. can be represented as a hierarchy of levels:

• elementary (properties of individual neurons);
• complex (properties of various brain structures);
• general-brain (systemic) properties (i.e. properties of the whole brain).

Elementary properties of n. With: manifest themselves in the peculiarities of the integration of nervous processes in individual elements of the n. With. (neurons) are components of higher order properties. (V. M. Rusalov.)

Complex structural properties of n. With: features of the integration of nervous processes in individual brain structures (hemispheres, frontal regions, analyzers, subcortical structures, etc.). Most of the S. sciences determined by traditional methods. With. (or private properties) falls into this category. They determine, first of all, special abilities and individual personality traits.

General (systemic) properties of n. With: represent the most fundamental functional characteristics of the integration of neural processes throughout the brain. They determine individual differences in general personality characteristics such as temperament and general personality.

Level of excitation processes

• High – strong response to excitement; there are no signs of excessive inhibition, a direct correlation with high performance in the tapping test: quick involvement in work, agility and achievement of high productivity; low fatigue; high performance and endurance.
• Low – weak and delayed reaction to excitement, extreme inhibition is quickly achieved, up to stupor, refusal to work; low tapping test scores; slow: involvement in work, workability and low labor productivity; high fatigue; low performance and endurance

Level of braking processes

• High – strong nervous processes on the part of inhibition; excitement, stimuli are easily extinguished; quick response to simple sensory signals, good reaction; high self-control, composure, vigilance, composure in behavioral reactions.
• Low – weakness of inhibition processes, impulsiveness in response to stimuli, weak self-control in behavioral reactions, a certain disinhibition, laxity, undemandingness and self-indulgence; slow or delayed response to simple signals; poor reaction, uneven response, inappropriate reactions, tendency to hysteria.

Level of mobility of nervous processes

• High – ease of switching nervous processes from excitation to inhibition and vice versa; rapid transition from one type of activity to another; quick switchability, decisiveness, courage in behavioral reactions.
• Low – typical for people who tend to work according to a stereotype, who do not like quick and unexpected changes in their activities, who are inert, and who, as a rule, show a low ability to switch to new types of work and successfully master a new profession; not suitable for work in rapidly changing conditions.

Shift in the balance of nervous processes towards excitation

With a significant shift in the balance of nervous processes towards excitement, unbalanced behavior, strong short-term emotional experiences, unstable mood, weak patience, aggressive behavior, overestimation of one’s abilities, good adaptation to new things, risk-taking, a strong desire for a goal with full dedication, a combative attitude towards danger without special calculation, poor noise immunity.

Shift in the balance of nervous processes towards inhibition

With a significant shift in the balance of nervous processes towards inhibition, balanced behavior, a stable mood, weak emotional experiences, good patience, restraint, composure, a calm attitude towards danger, a realistic assessment of one’s abilities, and good noise immunity are likely.

Taking into account the interlocutor’s temperament during a conversation.

With a strong, unbalanced, super-fast type (choleric), the conversation is built and conducted according to a clear structure of stages. They exclude factors that contribute to aggravation in a conversation, a harsh tone, questions and information that are unpleasant for the interlocutor.

With a strong, balanced, mobile type of GNI (sanguine person) - the conversation should be carried out according to the same plan, but preferably with. Sudden transitions from one topic to another are acceptable. He easily perceives a conversation that is not entirely logical; he can be ignited by a bright image, a successful comparison, or captivated by an interesting idea.

With a strong, balanced, inert type of VND (phlegmatic) - according to a plan that consistently and thoroughly sets out the essence of the conversation.

With a weak type of VND (melancholic) - according to a plan from which everything that could lead him into excitement, into a state of panic, etc. is excluded.

If the type of GNI and temperament are not known in advance, then the conversation plan is drawn up without “rigid” connections between successive points, which allows it to be adjusted during the conversation, as the type of GNI and temperament of the interlocutor are determined.

A strong, balanced, agile type of GNI (sanguine) and a strong, unbalanced, super-fast type of GND (choleric), if they find themselves in a difficult situation, will quickly find a way out of it. A strong, balanced, inert type of VND (phlegmatic) will be at a dead end, and a weak type of VND (melancholic) will be in panic.

All people are completely different. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, everyone reacts differently to the same situation. In many ways, the characteristics of a person’s character depend on the properties of the nervous system. So let's figure out what they are and how they influence the formation of personality.

What it is?

Properties of the nervous system is a term proposed by the Russian scientist I. P. Pavlov, which characterizes the innate characteristics of the response and functioning of the nervous system. These traits determine how it reacts to environmental conditions and human behavior.

The totality of all properties of the nervous system is called the phenotype. It is on the basis of this concept that a psychologist works with a person. Although the phenotype is genetically determined, it can change depending on environmental conditions.

Basic properties of the nervous system

I. P. Pavlov in his classification initially characterized three main properties:

• force;
• equilibrium;
• mobility.

With further study of the nervous system, three more new properties were added to these properties:

• dynamism- the ability of the brain to quickly respond to changing environmental conditions, namely to the processes of excitation and inhibition of its structures; its main characteristic is the speed of formation of conditioned reflexes in an individual;
• lability- the speed with which a new process appears and ends;
• activity- indicates how easily the processes of inhibition and excitation are activated in the brain.

The power of nervous processes

One of the main properties of the nervous system, which determines the further development of character and temperament, is the strength of nervous processes. This property shows how much the nervous system can resist the action of stimuli from the outside.

The main characteristic of the strength of nervous processes is how long the nervous system can last without extreme inhibition when exposed to an external stimulus for a long time. This should be a normal reaction in relation to the pathogen.

If we are talking about a process that inhibits the nervous system, then the main characteristic of strength will be the ability to withstand prolonged exposure to this stimulus.

In addition, physiologists argue that strength is characterized not by a person’s productive activity, but by the ways in which he can achieve his greatest activity.

Based on this property, such human character traits are formed as:

• endurance;
• courage;
• the ability to adapt, that is, adapt, to a changing external environment;
• impressionability.

Balance and mobility of nervous processes

The other two main components of the natural properties of the nervous system are balance and mobility.

Balance is the balance, or balance, between excitation and inhibition (basic nervous processes). If a person’s reaction is dynamic, it is easy for him to calm down and get rid of unnecessary thoughts. For such people, it is not difficult to overcome stupid desires and soberly assess the situation. Balance smoothly combines such human character traits as concentration and distractibility.

Mobility is the rate of emergence of new and disappearance of old nervous processes. The ability is determined by its ability to quickly adapt to new changes in the environment, to change one conditioned reflex to another.

It is easier for a person with dynamic nervous processes to get rid of old stereotypes and labels, and it is easier to open himself to something new. Such people have a very good memory and are characterized by rapid speech. When the mobility of processes is low, it is not easy for an individual to find himself in a situation unfamiliar to him or to acquire new skills. He prefers to be in his native habitat.

Main levels

In psychology, there is a separate hierarchical classification of the properties of the nervous system. There are three levels in total:

• upper - the properties of the entire brain, its effect on the entire body;
• middle - properties of individual brain structures and entire groups that form these structures;
• lower - properties of individual nerve cells (neurons).

All these levels are not isolated, but are in constant interaction with each other. Little has been studied about how each of them is related to a person’s character and mental processes.

Types of nervous system

Based on various combinations of nervous processes, four types of properties of the human nervous system are characterized:

• strong unrestrained - his nervous processes are unbalanced, with excitation significantly prevailing over inhibition;
• strong, lively - characterized by an unbalanced and extremely mobile reaction, excitement quickly turns into inhibition, and vice versa;
• strong, calm - his nervous processes are balanced, however, practically motionless;
• weak - excitation, as well as inhibition, are poorly developed; Cortical cells are characterized by low efficiency.

The first type is best studied, since it is in it that all the properties of the nervous system are most clearly expressed. And the weaker type is less amenable to research.

Character traits for different types of nervous system

How does the behavior of an individual change depending on his characteristics of the properties of the nervous system? A person with a strong nervous system is able to be productive for a long time, even doing really hard work. Tired, he does not require much time to rest. Such a person recovers quickly, does not panic in critical situations, but soberly assesses the situation.

An individual with a weak temperament is more sensitive and emotionally labile, that is, he reacts even to minor stimuli. It is easier for this type of people to do monotonous work, so it is easier for them to remember information. They have the opportunity to develop - stability in such a person is acquired over time. However, if two dynamically trained people of a strong and a weak type are placed in the same conditions, the genetic predisposition will make itself felt.

Temperament types

The types of nervous system listed above correspond to four types of temperament:

• choleric - with strong and uncontrollable nervous processes;
• sanguine - has persistent and vibrant functional characteristics;
• phlegmatic - a strong and calm type of nervous processes;
• melancholic is the weakest.

In addition, in addition to the types of the nervous system listed above, there is also another classification:

• thinking type;
• artistic type.

This division is based on the interaction of two human signaling systems. This is what serves as the leading factor in the direction in which an individual will develop. Thus, the thinking type is characterized by the predominant activity of the second signaling system, and the artistic type - by the first. People born with good development of conditioned reflexes have a greater chance of becoming mathematicians, philologists, physicists and other scientists. Individuals with an artistic type often have a talent for writing, music or painting, that is, these are people of a creative profession.

So, our character, how we react to certain situations, what decisions we make, largely depends on the properties of the nervous system inherited from our parents. However, no matter what type of reflex reactions are encoded in our DNA, each of these processes is more or less elastic. They are changed by upbringing, habits, situations in which we find ourselves. Everything that happens to us leaves a certain imprint on us, changing the functioning of our entire nervous system.

This means the balance of excitation/inhibition processes, or in other words, the ability to “restrain” both extreme excitation (a state of active overexcitation) and extreme inhibition (drowsiness, “inhibitory” stupor). The balance of nervous processes decisively determines such an important adaptive quality as adaptability , i.e. flexible “tuning” of the processes of excitation and inhibition (their threshold sensitivity) in relation to the situation. Loss of various compensatory mechanisms of its effectiveness are always characterized by imbalance of nervous processes.

is also largely due to the same reason. Neuroses, demonstrative and psychopathic emotional breakdowns, lack of flexibility in behavior, impulsiveness of actions are largely explained by the presence of imbalance in nervous processes. (It should be clarified that stress resistance requires a sufficiently strong and balanced nervous system, however, such qualities as adaptability and plasticity (flexibility) of behavior are primarily determined by balance).

Equilibrium central nervous system(together with mobility) quite directly influences the formation of such an important quality of the psyche as, i.e. development of a proactive attitude towards the expected situation. With excessive amplification (and this is almost always observed with unbalanced psyche with the fixation of arousal on any one factor of the signaling impact), the employee noticeably loses flexibility in strategic planning and becomes very vulnerable psychologically and business-wise when solving unexpectedly changed operational issues.

At the professional and behavioral level this property can manifest itself as: adaptability, emotional and behavioral balance, calm, objectivity, tactical (behavioral) flexibility, tolerance, equanimity, self-control.