Explaining Behaviour and Experiences in terms of Pysiological systems.

In physiological study, it is thought that behaviour and experience can be reduced to the functioning of the physiological system (nervous system).

The nervous system is the collective name for both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system – which itself, is also sub-divided into what's called the ‘somatic nervous system’ and the ‘autonomic nervous system.’

The Central Nervous System (CNS)
The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord, together they contain approximately 12 billion nerve cells, which are called neurons. The brain can be sub-divided further, into; the Hindbrain, this contains the cerebellum, which controls voluntary movements and the medulla, which controls respiration and heart beat. The midbrain, this is the basis for sleep, arousal, consciousness and attention – combined, this is known as the Reticular activating system or RAS. Finally the forebrain or Cerebral Cortex, this is the outer layer of the brain...