HUMAN MEDICAL BIOLOGY, ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY - Y.I. Fedonyuk 2010

ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY

CHAPTER 10. ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF HIGHER NERVOUS (MENTAL) ACTIVITY

THE FIRST AND SECOND SIGNALING SYSTEMS

The first signaling system involves the analysis and synthesis, by the Cerebral Cortex, of signals (stimuli) arriving from the body's receptors. This system is common to both animals and humans.

The formation of temporary neural connections of the first signaling system in a child begins a few days after birth.

The function of the first signaling system is to enable the Brain to reflect the surrounding environment. The activity of the first signaling system results in a concrete sensory reflection of the objective world, encompassing the most elementary forms of cognition: sensations, perceptions, and representations.

The right hemisphere is responsible for the reception, Processing, analysis, and synthesis of signals from the first signaling system. I.P. Pavlov referred to individuals with a predominance of right-hemispheric function—and consequently, concrete-imagistic thinking—as the "artistic" type. In these individuals, the first signaling system predominates.

At the same time, through labor activity and social development, humans developed and evolved a second signaling system associated with spoken, heard, and visual verbal signals. I.P. Pavlov called the word the "signal of signals."

The formation of conditioned Reflexes in humans based on words is a qualitative characteristic of higher human nervous activity.

The initial signs of The Development of the second signaling system appear in a child during the second half of the first year of life. Humans designate everything perceived by their receptors with words. Language allows us to Abstract from specific objects and phenomena, serving as the basis for human abstract thinking, which manifests as logical reasoning.

Abstract reflection encompasses more complex forms of cognitive activity unique to humans, such as concepts, judgments, and Conclusions.

Abstract thinking is the product of left-hemisphere brain activity. I.P. Pavlov designated individuals with a predominance of the second signaling system as the "thinking" type.

In humans, the First and Second signaling systems function in close interconnection.