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Module 1.2

Peripheral nervous system Central nervous system
Figure 1.2-1
Nervous The functional divisions of
system the human nervous system TEACH 1.2-1
Teaching Tip
Central (brain and
Peripheral spinal cord) Students may have trouble under-
standing that the nervous system is
an integrated network. The divisions
Autonomic (controls Somatic
self-regulated action discussed in this module recognize
of internal organs
and glands) the executive function of the brain and
spinal cord and the delivery function
Sympathetic Parasympathetic of the peripheral nerves. Emphasize to
(arousing) (calming)
students that these two systems work
seamlessly together, even though we
Sensory Motor output
input (controls skeletal separate their discussion in the text-
muscles)
book to understand them better.

somatic nervous system the CONNECT 1.2-1
division of the peripheral
The Peripheral Nervous System nervous system that controls the The autonomic nervous system is a
Worth Publishers.
body’s skeletal muscles. Also
Our peripheral nervous system has two components — somatic and autonomic. Our called the skeletal nervous system. key participant in emotions, stress,
somatic nervous system enables voluntary control of our skeletal muscles. When a friend autonomic [aw-tuh-NAHM-ik] and health. Students have likely heard
taps your shoulder, your somatic nervous system reports to your brain the current state of nervous system (ANS) the
your skeletal muscles and carries instructions back, triggering your head to turn. part of the peripheral nervous of the fight-or-flight response, which
Our autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls our glands and our internal organ system that controls the glands is governed by the autonomic nervous
muscles. The ANS influences functions such as glandular activity, heartbeat, and digestion. and the muscles of the internal system and plays a role in how we
organs (such as the heart). Its
(Autonomic means “self-regulating.”) As with a self-driving car, we may consciously over- & Worth Publishers. Not for redistribution.
sympathetic division arouses; its
ride this system, but usually it operates on its own (autonomously). parasympathetic division calms. respond to stress or environmental
The autonomic nervous system’s subdivisions serve two important functions sympathetic nervous cues. Therapeutic processes such
(Figure 1.2-2). The sympathetic nervous system arouses and expends energy (think “fight system the division of the as biofeedback, relaxation, and
Bedford, Freeman &
®
or flight”). Imagine an activity that alarms or challenges you (such as taking the AP Psy- autonomic nervous system that
chology exam or being stuffed in an MRI machine). Your sympathetic nervous system accel- arouses the body, mobilizing its systematic desensitization use
erates your heartbeat, raises your blood pressure, slows your digestion, raises your blood energy. knowledge of how this system works
sugar, and cools you with sweat, making you alert and ready for action. When the stress parasympathetic nervous
®
subsides (the AP exam or MRI is over), your parasympathetic nervous system will system the division of the to treat depressive and anxiety
autonomic nervous system that
produce the opposite effects, conserving energy as it calms you (think “rest and digest”). calms the body, conserving its disorders (discussed in Unit 5).
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work together to keep our bodies in energy.
a steady internal state called homeostasis.
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman
Copyright ©

Overview of the Nervous System Module 1.2 23

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PRACTICE
Research Methods & Design (SP 2) to have their blood drawn, and tell the other • What is the operational definition
half that they are waiting to complete paper-
of each variable? (The operational
(20 minutes) Take a moment to review the work. After 5 minutes, all participants have definition of the IV is thinking your
basics of experimental design with your their blood pressure taken. blood is being drawn or you are
students. Describe the following hypothetical completing paperwork. For the DV.
study and have students, individually or in • Why is this an experiment as opposed it is blood pressure.)
pairs, answer the questions provided. to a descriptive or correlation study?
Researchers hypothesize that stress (The researchers manipulated a If students have difficulties, encourage
causes the sympathetic nervous system to variable using random assignment.) them to review Module 0.4.
become activated. They randomly select • Identify the independent and
50 participants to sit in a waiting room for dependent variables. (The IV is stress
5 minutes. Using random assignment, they level. The DV is activation of the
tell half the participants that they are waiting sympathetic nervous system.)

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