Reflexes

Human reflexes are responses to a stimulus. The response is patterned, stereotypical, or predictable, virtually each time the same stimulus is applied. For example, in a baby’s palmar grasp reflex, stroking the palm of the hand of a typically developing baby at the appropriate age will result in a closing of the fingers of that hand. The response is often forceful enough to support the baby’s own body weight, if both hands are stimulated simultaneously. Stroke the same hand again and the same response occurs. Reflexive responses occur virtually the same way every time the appropriate stimulus is applied, assuming the baby is typically developing and the age at which the reflex would be expected to occur. Reflexes also generally occur subcortically with no involvement ...