Evaluation Of The Fight Or Flight Response

Question 1

Explain the evaluation point of Tend and Befriend

Answer 1

Taylor et al suggested that females behaviour responses to stress are characterised more by a pattern of tend and befriend behaviour rather than fight or flight response. This involves protecting themselves and their children through nurturing behaviour and forming protective alliances with other women. This may be because women’s responses have evolved in the context of being the primary caregiver of their children. This finding is explained in terms of higher levels of the hormone oxytocin in females.

Question 2

Explain the negative consequences of fight or flight

Answer 2

The physiological response may be adaptive for a stress response that requires energetic behavioural responses. But, the stressors which we experience in every day life rarely require such levels of physical; activity. Problems for humans arise when the stress response is repeatedly activated. E.g) Increased blood pressure- can cause damage to blood vessels if repeated and can lead to heart disease. Too much cortisol suppresses the immune system which shuts down the process that fights infection and increases the likelihood of stress related illness.