6.4 The fight-or-flight response

Question 1

What is the purpose of the fight or flight response?

Answer 1

Enables us to react quickly to life threatening situations

Question 2

How are the amygdala and hypothalamus involved in the fight or flight response?

Answer 2

The stress response is triggered by the amygdala

it sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus

Question 3

What does the amygdala do?

Answer 3

associates sensory inputs with emotions

Question 4

How do you respond to acute stressors?

Answer 4

-The hypothalamus activates the acute response via the
sympathetic nervous system
-SNS sends signal to adrenal medulla
- it releases adrenaline increasing heart rate etc
- When the threat has passed the parasympathetic nervous system restores bodily functions to normal

Question 5

How do you respond to chronic stressors?

Answer 5

HPA axis
H- hypothalamus releases CRH into blood streams
P- Pituitary gland responds to CRH and releases ACTH
A- adrenal cortex is stimulated by ACTH to release cortisol

Question 6

How does cortisol help with stress?

Answer 6

• reduces sensitivity to pain

- gives quick burst of energy

Question 7

What is a criticism for the fight or flight response involving females?

Answer 7

The tend and befriend response may be more characteristic in response to evolution as primary caregiver so more oxytocin is released

Question 8

What is a criticism for the fight or flight response in regards to how animals and humans tend to react?

Answer 8

We tend to freeze to start with instead of fight or flight