The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is involved both in higher-order cognition such as attention and learning, and in responding to unexpected, threatening events. Increased ANS reactivity may confer both superior short-term cognitive performance, and heightened long-term susceptibility to adverse events. Here, we evaluate this hypothesis within the Differential Susceptibility Theory (DST) framework. We hypothesise that individuals with increased reactivity may show heightened biological sensitivity to context, conferring both positive (development-enhancing) effects (superior attention and learning) and negative (risk-promoting) effects (increased sensitivity to unsupportive environments). First, we examine how ANS reactivity relates to early cognitive performance. We hypothesise that increased phasic ANS reactivity, observed at lower tonic (pre-stimulus) ANS activity, is associated with better attention and learning. We conclude that the evidence is largely in support. Second we discuss whether ANS reactivity to ‘positive’, attention-eliciting and to ‘negative’, aversive stimuli is a one-dimensional construct; and evaluate evidence for how the real-world environment influences physiological stress over short and long time-frames. We identify three areas where the evidence is currently inconclusive.

自主神经系统（ANS）涉及注意力和学习等高级认知，以及对意外威胁事件的响应。ANS反应性的提高可能赋予其出色的短期认知能力，并增强其对不良事件的长期敏感性。在这里，我们在差分敏感性理论（DST）框架内评估该假设。我们假设反应性增强的个体可能对背景表现出更高的生物学敏感性，同时赋予积极的（促进发展）（增强注意力和学习）和消极的（促进风险）（增强对非支持性环境的敏感性）作用。首先，我们研究了ANS反应性与早期认知表现之间的关系。我们假设相位ANS反应性增加，在低强度（刺激前）的ANS活动中观察到，与更好的注意力和学习有关。我们得出结论，证据在很大程度上得到了支持。其次，我们讨论ANS对“积极”，引起注意和“消极”，厌恶性刺激的反应是否是一维结构。并评估证据，说明现实环境在短期和长期内如何影响生理压力。我们确定了目前尚无定论的三个方面。并评估证据，说明现实环境在短期和长期内如何影响生理压力。我们确定了目前尚无定论的三个方面。并评估证据，说明现实环境在短期和长期内如何影响生理压力。我们确定了目前尚无定论的三个方面。