fight or flight

Question 1

what is the fight or flight response?

Answer 1

• evolutionary survival mechanism in response to threat
• primes body and mind for extreme action - fighting for life or escaping threat
• body returns to homeostasis after threat has passed
• response is not designed for modern world so it is maladaptive

Question 2

define acute stress

Answer 2

common form of stress in response to immediate pressures
can be exciting in small amounts and give you focus and energy but is exhausting if maintained

Question 3

define chronic stress

Answer 3

long term form of stress in response to prolonged emotional pressure
occurs in situations that the individual feels unable to control

Question 4

process of fight or flight response

Answer 4

1. stressor is recognised
2. hypothalamus activates ANS (sympathetic NS) and endocrine system (pituitary gland)
   3a. endocrine system: HPA axis activates (hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal gland)
   4a. pituitary gland releases ACTH which stimulates adrenal cortex to release cortisol
   3b. nervous system: SNS activates SAM (sympathetic adrenomedullary pathway)
   4b. SAM stimulates adrenal medulla to release adrenaline and noradrenaline

Question 5

what are the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline?

Answer 5

increased blood flow to brain and skeletal muscles - for quick thinking and reactions
decreased blood flow to inessential systems - maximise blood flow to important areas
digestion is inhibited - focus of flight or fight
dilated pupils - improve vision
breathing rate increases - increased oxygen in blood
sweat increase - remove heat
psychological effects - increased anxiety, attention, alertness

Question 6

consequences of stress-related illness

Answer 6

constant triggering of fight or flight in response to chronic stress has long-term effects on physical and mental health
fight or flight shuts down immune system, digestive system and causes high BP resulting in anxiety
increased risk of heart disease, obesity and IBS
lowers resistance to disease
can result in depression

Question 7

tend and befriend

Answer 7

Taylor (2000) argued that women have an innate instinct to ‘tend and befriend’ rather than ‘fight or flight
to improve social connections to work as a group to overcome difficulties as women are usually protecting their children