What physiological response is characterized by increased muscle tone and sensory sensitivity?

The physiological response characterized by increased muscle tone and sensory sensitivity is the orienting response. This response is typically seen when an individual is exposed to a novel stimulus in their environment, leading to heightened awareness and readiness to respond. During the orienting response, the body prepares itself for action, which includes increased muscle tone and an enhancement of sensory sensitivity as a way to process this new information effectively.

This heightened state allows individuals to focus their attention and respond appropriately to potentially important stimuli, which is crucial for survival. Understanding this response is important in fields such as biofeedback and psychology, where awareness of one’s physiological state can be beneficial for therapeutic techniques and interventions.