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this psychology assignment Handout: Parasympathetic or Sympathetic? For the foll

ID: 96398 • Letter: T

Question

this psychology assignment

Handout: Parasympathetic or Sympathetic?

For the following body functions, indicate which function is primarily controlled by the sympathetic branch of the body and which is primarily controlled by parasympathetic behavior.

Next to each behavior or action, put an “S” for sympathetic and “P” for parasympathetic:

1. Skin has goose bumps.

Skin is relaxed.

2. Palms are dry.

Palms are sweaty.

3. Lungs are dilated and rapid breathing occurs.

Lungs are constricted and breathing is relaxed.

4. Heart rate decreases.

Heart rate increases.

5. Blood is sent to muscles.

Blood is sent to internal organs.

6. Adrenal gland activity increases.

Adrenal gland activity decreases.

7. Digestion is stimulated.

Digestion is inhibited (can cause you to feel like you have a knot in your stomach).

8. Mouth is dry.

Saliva is in the mouth.

Handout 2.4 Parasympathetic or Sympathetic? by Laura Gaudet

Nevid, J.S. and Knapp, J. (2011). Instructor’s Resource Manual for Essentials of Psychology (4th edition), p. 68. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Exercise: Matching Brain Areas with Specific Activities

Instructions for Students:

Although the functioning of parts of the brain can be localized, there is also considerable overlap in their function. Therefore, many behaviors and abilities are represented in several locations within the brain. Also, everything we do involves the brain working as an integrated whole; many brain areas work in concert to create our conscious experience and help us accomplish our everyday functions.

Below are two lists. One is a list of brain structures, the other a list of common activities. Pick three of the activities, and for each of the activities you choose, pick three of the brain structures, and explain how they might be involved in that activity.

Activities                                                          

a. watching a horror movie                        f. giving a speech

b. asking a question in class                       g. being caught speeding

c. fixing yourself lunch                                 h. dancing

d. reading your textbook                            i. going to a concert

e. riding a bike                                                 j. writing an essay

Brain structures/areas                                                                                                                                                                                  

1. Broca's area                                                10. amygdala

2. corpus callosum                                        11. cerebellum

3. hypothalamus                                           12. sympathetic nervous system

4. hippocampus                                             13. temporal lobe

5. parietal lobe                                               14. occipital lobe

6. thalamus                                                      15. Wernicke's area

7. medulla                                                        16. substantia nigra

8. frontal lobe                                                 17. right hemisphere

9. reticular formation                                  18. left hemisphere

Explanation / Answer

1. Skin has goose bumps. Sympathetic Nervous System

Skin is relaxed. Parasympathetic Nervous System

2. Palms are dry. Sympathetic Nervous System

Palms are sweaty. Sympathetic Nervous System

3. Lungs are dilated and rapid breathing occurs. Sympathetic Nervous System

Lungs are constricted and breathing is relaxed. Sympathetic Nervous System

4. Heart rate decreases. Parasympathetic Nervous System

Heart rate increases. Sympathetic Nervous System

5. Blood is sent to muscles. Sympathetic Nervous System

Blood is sent to internal organs. Sympathetic Nervous System

6. Adrenal gland activity increases. Sympathetic Nervous System

Adrenal gland activity decreases. Sympathetic Nervous System

7. Digestion is stimulated. Parasympathetic Nervous System

Digestion is inhibited (can cause you to feel like you have a knot in your stomach). Parasympathetic Nervous System

8. Mouth is dry. Sympathetic Nervous System

Saliva is in the mouth. Parasympathetic Nervous System

a. watching a horror movie : This is controlled by three parts amydgala, hippocampus and the hypothalamus. Amydgala which is located near the center of brain in front of hippocampus and under thalamus is responsible for memory, and emotion (Like anger, fear etc.). Thus this region is the first which triggered. Hippocampus is responsible for capturing new memories which are remembered by the watching person. Thus this region also play role in this. During a horror movie, as a result of fear commonly heart rate is increased. Heart rate is controlled by the hypothalamus. Thus all these three areas play role while watching a horror movie.

i. Going to a concert:, This is controlled by three parts temporal lobe, occipital lobe, and the cerebellum. Temporal lobe which is located at the center of brain is responsible for the auditory information. Here the sound coming from orchestra is the reason. Occipital lobe which is located at the back side of brain plays vital role in observation which is the seeing the concert. If someone is standing or dancing during the programme then the cerebellum which is located back portion of brain region comes into play. It is responsible for the muscle contraction and maintaining posture and balance.

h. Dancing: This is also controlled by three parts cerebellum, the medulla and the reticular formation. Cerebellum is the portion of brain responsible for body balance and dancing is all about body balance. Medulla which located at the bottom of brain controls the major life function like heart rate, breathing etc. Both of these actions are increased during dance. Reticular formation is responsible for attention, which is much needed action while dancing.