<p>In a simplified example, a tennis player's eyes see the tennis ball's movements, and is working with the brain to track the speed and trajectory.  The brain is then reacting to these cues along with all other available cues, to send signals to the nerves responsible for moving the body in the required way to respond to these cues.</p>

<p>If however, something happens externally to the tennis game, which is then interpreted by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight-or-flight_response" rel="nofollow">amygdalae and hypothalamus</a> as a threat to the host's wellbeing, the brain's attention is immediately moved from the tennis game to the threat in order for it to react in the best way possible to protect the body from the perceived impending danger.</p>

<p>Now, the brain may not be immediately conscious of the threat in a psychological sense as it may not have time to think about the threat in a psychological way, but nevertheless, the brain will be conscious of the impending danger and will respond accordingly in the most efficient way possible.</p>

<p>This is reflex reaction.</p>

<p>Emotional reactions are psychological reactions to stimulae which the brain receives, whereas reflex reactions are reactions which result from stimulae which the brain currently doesn't have time to process psychologically.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-29T07:21:22.277Z
2016-11-29T07:21:22.277Z
Chris Rogers
<p>It seems to be the obvious for many psychologists, but on what grounds emotions are considered to be different than reflexes?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-28T17:18:05.663Z
Reflexes don't go through the brain, emotions do.  See also: http://cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/9270/are-there-mental-reflexes
Arnon Weinberg
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-28T22:20:28.733Z
+1 for a good question.  @ArnonWeinberg, Reflexes do go through the brain otherwise how do reflex actions occur? Look at the fight, fright, flight, fawn reactions to threats. This is one example of where the definition of conscious, subconscious and unconscious reactions become blurry. Some reflex actions may be unconscious psychologically but cognitively to a degree, and neurologically, they are conscious otherwise the reflex actions wouldn't occur.
Chris Rogers
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-28T23:58:33.560Z
@Chris, feel free to post a separate question re how reflexes work, or check out a similar question here: http://cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/9174/how-does-my-spinal-cord-know-to-take-reflexive-action.  I think you are referring to unconscious actions however, which are different (not mentioned in the OP's question), so perhaps posting a question about those would be more appropriate.
Arnon Weinberg
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-07T02:16:46.947Z
@Chris I think it's an interesting question, but not yet a good question. It could use a lot more background and context.
Seanny123
<emotion>
Emotions and reflexes - difference
Lil'Lobster
# Emotions and reflexes - difference

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-11-28)

It seems to be the obvious for many psychologists, but on what grounds emotions are considered to be different than reflexes?

**Tags:** emotion

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Reflexes don't go through the brain, emotions do.  See also: http://cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/9270/are-there-mental-reflexes  
> **username_2**: +1 for a good question.  @ArnonWeinberg, Reflexes do go through the brain otherwise how do reflex actions occur? Look at the fight, fright, flight, fawn reactions to threats. This is one example of where the definition of conscious, subconscious and unconscious reactions become blurry. Some reflex actions may be unconscious psychologically but cognitively to a degree, and neurologically, they are conscious otherwise the reflex actions wouldn't occur.  
> **username_1**: @Chris, feel free to post a separate question re how reflexes work, or check out a similar question here: http://cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/9174/how-does-my-spinal-cord-know-to-take-reflexive-action.  I think you are referring to unconscious actions however, which are different (not mentioned in the OP's question), so perhaps posting a question about those would be more appropriate.  
> **username_3**: @Chris I think it's an interesting question, but not yet a good question. It could use a lot more background and context.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-11-29. Score: 2

In a simplified example, a tennis player's eyes see the tennis ball's movements, and is working with the brain to track the speed and trajectory. The brain is then reacting to these cues along with all other available cues, to send signals to the nerves responsible for moving the body in the required way to respond to these cues.

If however, something happens externally to the tennis game, which is then interpreted by the [amygdalae and hypothalamus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight-or-flight_response) as a threat to the host's wellbeing, the brain's attention is immediately moved from the tennis game to the threat in order for it to react in the best way possible to protect the body from the perceived impending danger.

Now, the brain may not be immediately conscious of the threat in a psychological sense as it may not have time to think about the threat in a psychological way, but nevertheless, the brain will be conscious of the impending danger and will respond accordingly in the most efficient way possible.

This is reflex reaction.

Emotional reactions are psychological reactions to stimulae which the brain receives, whereas reflex reactions are reactions which result from stimulae which the brain currently doesn't have time to process psychologically.


---

