hey just wanted to ask , is feeling excited a threat. for example if 2 kids are going kindergarten and one of them was crying and clinging towards the mother and the other child is really excited and ran to kindergarten showing great enthusiasm are both the kids sympathetic nervous system where dominant. Cause isn't sympathetic nervous system only activated when there is a threat only for the second one there is no threat so shouldn't its parasympathetic nervous system be dominant?
Hey amanaazim!
I don't do VCE Psychology, but I will try and help with your question.
Being excited is a result of the "Flight or Fight" response (Fight could = threat). The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) can become activated by being excited or frightened, there doesn't necessarily have to be a threat. Whereas the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) is responsible for calming and resting the body, slowing heart rate and digestion.
Both of the 2 kindergarten kids in your example would be under the influence of the SNS:
Child 1 is in "Fight" mode, as they feel apprehensive, nervous and terrified about the situation, leaving the body to release hormones to accelerate their heartbeat, quicken their breathing and cry.
Child 2 is in "Flight" mode thus they are bursting with energy and optimism, also releasing hormones to assist in this flight mode. Therefore, both children are under the influence of the Sympathetic Nervous System not the Parasympathetic Nervous System.
I hope this helps!
Coolmate