CENTRAL EFFERENT PROCESSES AND AUTONOMIC-BEHAVIORAL INTEGRATION

Neurophysiological and psychophysiological studies have provided a substantial amount of data concerning the integration of autonomic and somatic responses. It is clear that this integration is primarily achieved within the central nervous system and that coordinated autonomic‐behavioral activity is reflected, at the periphery, in the anticipatory and preparatory phases of movement. It is suggested that the central efferent organization of these preparatory responses is directly responsible for emotional experience. The demonstration that autonomic events are highly correlated with behavioral responses is regarded as providing further support for the view that the primary concern of the central nervous system is the production of adaptive behavior. Copyright © 1969, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved