How can the brain overcome a reflex?

Question

How can the brain overcome a reflex when there is perception of the stimuli is know? 

 

For example, 

 

I want to pick up and move a hot plate, if I just grabbed it without thinking I would most likely drop it. But if I know the plate is hot but am determined to move it I can overcome the reflex and move the plate (although it may be uncomfortable). 

 

I'm really struggling to find an answer for this question. 

Answer 1

Rachel,

 

This may be an over-simplification of your problem, but it is a questions of vocabulary.  Your "reflex" was to drop the plate, whereas your "response" to the hot stimuli is to move it.  

 

See "The Brain's Sense of Movement" by Alain Berthoz, in particular page 11 and 12 for almost this exact example.  You can preview these pages on google book.

 

Good Luck,

Kirstina