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Psychology: Paper 2 > Biopsychology: Fight or flight response > Flashcards

Biopsychology: Fight or flight response Flashcards

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1
Q

What happens when a threat is presented?

A

the amygdala is mobilised

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2
Q

What is the flight or fight response?

A

A physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack or threat to survival

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3
Q

What does the amygdala do once it is mobilised due to a threat?

A

Sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus which communicates with the rest of the body through the sympathetic NS

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4
Q

What is the amygdala responsible for?

A

The perception of emotions such as anger and fear

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5
Q

What system is used for a an acute stressor?

A

Sympathetic-medullary pathway

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6
Q

What are the 2 systems used in response to a stressor

A

acute stressor = Sympathetic-medullary pathway (SAM)

Chronic stressor = Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenalcortical axis (HPA axis)

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7
Q

What system is used for a chronic stressor?

A

Hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenalcortical axis

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8
Q

What happens after the sympathetic nervous system is triggered by a distress signal received from the hypothalamus?

A

It sends a signal to adrenal medulla

Adrenal medulla responds by releasing adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream

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9
Q

Where does the sympathetic nervous system receive a distress signal from?

A

The hypothalamus

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10
Q

What happens when adrenaline circulates around the bloodstream?

A

It causes physiological changes that prepare the body for the FOF response

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11
Q

What are the physiological changes the body undergoes when adrenaline is in the bloodstream?

A 
increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure
increased breathing rate
Slowed/stopped digestion
Salvation stops = mouth dry
Pupils dilate
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12
Q

Why does heart rate increase and blood pressure elevate as a result of the FOF response?

A

This will increase blood supply to muscles to assist a reaction

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13
Q

Why does breathing rate increase as a result of the FOF response?

A

A quicker breathing rate takes in more oxygen to power the muscles, in turn making the body more able to respond

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14
Q

Why does digestion slow/stop as a result of the FOF response?

A

Blood is diverted away from the digestive system by vascular constriction in vessels, which can lead to feelings of nausea ‘butterflies’. Non-essential systems are shut down so blood flow can increase to the muscles instead

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15
Q

Why does salvation stop as a result of the FOF response?

A

so energy can be diverted towards muscles instead

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16
Q

What does adrenaline trigger?

A

Triggers the release of glucose in the form of glycogen, which flows into the bloodstream, supplying energy to parts of the body associated with the FOF response

17
Q

What happens once a threat has passed?

A

The parasympathetic nervous system dampens down the stress response by slowing back down heart rate and reducing blood pressure

18
Q

What is a characteristic of the parasympathetic nervous system?

A

slow acting, so make take several minutes for body to return to normal state

19
Q

When does the hypothalamus activate the stress response system HPA Axis?

A

If the brain continues to perceive something as threatening, the initial surge of adrenaline subsides
and the hypothalamus activates a stress response system

20
Q

What activates the HPA axis?

A

Hypothalamus

21
Q

What does the hypothalamus do in the HPA axis?

A

Releases a chemical messenger (CRH) into the blood stream in response to the stressor

22
Q

What does CRH target?

A

Pituitary gland

23
Q

What does the pituitary gland release once is it stimulated by CRH?

A

ACTH

24
Q

What gland does ACTH target once it is released by the pituitary gland, and what does this target gland release?

A

The adrenal cortex

releases cortisol

25
Q

Why is cortisol bad?

A

Has negative effects, makes person more susceptible to:
Headaches
Digestive problems
Anxiety
Depression
Also suppresses the immune system so can’t fight infections as effectively.

26
Q

Why do pupils dilate as a result of the FOF response?

A

To take in as much light as possible

27
Q

What is the purpose of the FOF response?

A

It is a survival mechanism which enables animals and humans to react more quickly to life-threatening situations

28
Q

When does the immune system get suppressed?

A

After cortisol is released into the bloodstream

29
Q

What is another name for noradrenaline?

A

Norepinephrine

30
Q

What dampens down the stress response by slowing back grown heart rate and reducing blood pressure?

A

Parasympathetic nervous system

Psychology: Paper 2 (16 decks)

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