Possible developed reflexes?

Question

Possible developed reflexes?

If I conducted a simple action consciously everyday, like punching the air whenever I saw a dog, would it ever become a reflex, so when I saw a dog, I would automatically punch the air?

If not, why not?

Answer 1

Something like that could happen. Strictly speaking, it wouldn't be a reflex, because reflex responses are handled by the spinal cord. In order for you to recognise that you were seeing a dog, your brain would have to be involved.

It would be what's known as a conditioned reflex (look up Pavlov's experiments with dogs).

It is certainly possible to train your body to do things automatically in response to certain stimuli. I have noticed this when I'm using the scroll wheel on a mouse. When I scroll down using the wheel my eyes automatically move upward to track the moving text. I noticed this because sometimes if I am at the bottom of the page, but I don't know I'm at the bottom, when I scroll down my eyes make a little movement upwards. It's quite disconcerting when the page doesn't move as well!

Answer 2

Punching is not technically a reflex, but a consciously chosen behavior.  It can become a habit, not a conditioned reflex.

Using the example of Pavlov's dogs:  the reflex is salivation.  Dogs (humans too) produce increased saliva when anticipating food.  This is a reflex because it is mediated by the spinal cord.  The dogs learned to associate the bell with food, so they would salivate on hearing the bell.  Similarly, if somebody tells me they are going to give me some tasty food, I will salivate before it is actually given to me.