biopsychology 1.4

Question 1

flight or fight response

Answer 1

automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening (acute stressor)

Question 2

why is the flight or fight response performed?

Answer 2

as an evolutionary process to help ensure our survival

Question 3

1st step of fight or flight

Answer 3

stressor is perceived, sends message to hypothalamus which communicates with the rest of the body through the sympathetic nervous system

Question 4

2nd step of fight or flight

Answer 4

this switches the autonomic nervous system from the parasympathetic state to the sympathetic (physiologically aroused) state - this is the SAM pathway

Question 5

3rd step of fight or flight

Answer 5

SNS prepares the body for action by sending a message to the adrenal medulla to produce adrenaline and noradrenaline, this is secreted into the bloodstream

Question 6

4th step of fight or flight

Answer 6

adrenaline and noradrenaline circulate

adrenaline triggers physiological changes in the body to help respond to the stressor which creates the physiological arousal necessary for fight or flight response

Question 7

5th step of fight or flight response

Answer 7

once the threat passes, parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to its normal resting state (sympathetic state)

Question 8

strengths of fight or flight response

Answer 8

Lee and Harley (2012) found that a gene found in males may be the cause of genetic differences as it primes males to respond to stress with fight or flight

this is not the case in women

Question 9

limitations of fight or flight

Answer 9

this approach is outdated for humans as we rarely need to use fight or flight

it neglects the idea of the freeze response. most animals are seen to freeze before taking a fight or flight action to assess their surroundings

Taylor et al (2000) found a similar response can be seen in men and women, however the female version is called ‘tend and befriend’:
tend - protecting themselves or their young. if a woman fled she would leave her offspring at risk meaning she will ‘tend’
befriend- forming alliances with other women for comfort or protection
this is different as a result of the hormone oxytocin. this magnifies the effect of oestrogen therefore increasing relaxation, fearfulness and physical responses to fight or flight.
therefore, there may be differences to men and women’s response to stress

Question 10

‘tend and befriend’ limitation of fight or flight

Answer 10

Taylor et al (2000) found a similar response can be seen in men and women, however the female version is called ‘tend and befriend’:
tend - protecting themselves or their young. if a woman fled she would leave her offspring at risk meaning she will ‘tend’
befriend- forming alliances with other women for comfort or protection

this is different as a result of the hormone oxytocin. this magnifies the effect of oestrogen therefore increasing relaxation, fearfulness and physical responses to fight or flight.

therefore, there may be differences to men and women’s response to stress

Question 11

chronic stress response

Answer 11

it happens as a long term response to stress and is therefore different to the fight or flight response, which responds to acute stress

Question 12

how does the chronic stress response differ from the fight or flight response?

Answer 12

it happens as a long term response to stress, whereas the fight or flight response is a response to an acute stressor

it uses the endocrine system, whereas the fight or flight response uses the nervous system to send messages

it takes longer to take action, whereas the fight or flight response is quicker

the effect is longer lasting, whereas the fight or flight’s response effect isn’t

Question 13

outline the process of chronic stress response

Answer 13

a stressor continues to be perceived and therefore activates the hypothalamus

the hypothalamus causes the pituitary gland to produce adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) which travels towards the kidneys

adrenal cortex releases cortisol which increases pain threshold, gives energy but impairs cognition, heightens blood pressure and lowers immune response

if levels rise too high, reduction is made in ACTH

Question 14

1st step of chronic stress response

Answer 14

a stressor continues to be perceived and therefore activates the hypothalamus

Question 15

2nd step of chronic stress response

Answer 15

the hypothalamus causes the pituitary gland to produce adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) which travels towards the kidneys

Question 16

3rd step of chronic stress response

Answer 16

adrenal cortex releases cortisol which increases pain threshold, gives energy but impairs cognition, heightens blood pressure and lowers immune response

Question 17

4th step of chronic stress response

Answer 17

if levels rise too high, reduction is made in ACTH