PSYC 351 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Autonomic Nervous System, Parasympathetic Nervous System, Sympathetic Nervous System
Document Summary
Chapter 7: the autonomic nervous system and hormones: autonomic nervous system: set of neurons by which the central nervous system influences the visceral organs, both send information to organs (input) and receives information (output) Important role in regulating heart rate, breathing, other functions that keep body alive and functioning: sympathetic nervous system: fight-or-flight branch of ans which prepares body for vigorous activity. Increases blood pressure partly by retaining sodium and fluids, increasing total amount of blood plasma pumping through the system, but also by increasing resistance from arteries. In both men and women, high ratio of testosterone to cortisol correlates with increased aggressive behavior and risk-taking behavior. Measuring physiological aspects of emotion: heart rate the best known and most widely used measure. Autonomic nervous system specificity of emotions: autonomic specificity: extent to which each emotion has a distinct, recognizable pattern of ans response, many studies have found small differences but also much similarity across emotions.