Application: Emotional Stimuli
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) forms part of the peripheral nervous system. It controls a number of involuntary actions such as heart rate, digestion, breathing, and perspiration. The ANS consists of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "fight or flight" response. It also includes the parasympathetic nervous system, which allows people to slow down and rest.
When individuals become emotionally aroused, the ANS activates and produces a number of biological and psychological symptoms.
For this Application Assignment, you explain responses to emotional stimuli.
The Assignment (2-3 pages)
In a 2- to 3-page paper, respond to the following prompts:
Identify an emotional stimulus.
Describe the process of emotional appraisal and identify the likely appraisal of the emotional stimulus identified in step 1 above.
Describe the ANS arousal that would result from the stimulus and appraisal.
What are the cognitive labels you would apply to the situation?
What adaptive behavior options would be available to you? Which would you choose and why?
Describe the emotional expressions (facial, body posture, etc.) resulting from the situation.
What resulting emotion would you experience?
How could your future ability to cope with a similar situation be affected by knowledge of these steps?
What is the relationship between emotion and motivation?