Section: AP Psychology

12) When swimming in the ocean, Ethan is frightened by a dark shadow in the water even before he has a chance to identify what the shadow is.  Which of the following best describes the synaptic connections taking place during this incident of fright?

1. Messages are sent from the thalamus to the interneurons throughout the Central Nervous System.
2. Messages are sent from the thalamus to the amygdala.
3. Messages are sent from the parasympathetic nervous system to the cerebral cortex. 
4. Messages are sent from the frontal lobes to the pituitary gland. 
5. Messages are sent from the occipital lobes to the parietal lobes.

This is the correct answer because his senses are picking up the dark shadow.  The thalamus controls and interprets these senses and sends them to the amygdala because of the amount of emotion that Ethan feels upon seeing the shadow.