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physiological arousal

aspects of arousal shown by physiological responses, such as increases in blood pressure and rate of respiration and decreased activity of the gastrointestinal system. Such primary arousal responses are largely governed by the sympathetic nervous system, but responses of the parasympathetic nervous system may compensate or even overcompensate for the sympathetic activity. Physiological arousal includes but is not limited to sexual arousal. See also autonomic nervous system.

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Psychology term of the day

September 8th 2024

drift

drift

n.

1. a reduction in variation in genetic traits that can occur when sampling from continually smaller groups, such that some traits ultimately become excluded from possibility.

2. a reduction in the reliability of technical instruments orin the accuracy of observers over time. See instrument drift; observer drift.