Fight or Flight

Question 1

What is the fight or flight response?

Answer 1

A physiological reaction in response to a perceived threat

Question 2

Sympathomedullary (SAM) pathway

Answer 2

Amygdala sends stress signals to hypothalamus, activating sympathetic NS which triggers adrenal medulla to secrete adrenaline into bloodstream. Once the threat has passed, the parasympathetic NS returns body to resting state

Question 3

Effects of adrenaline

Answer 3

• Pupil dilation to increase visual awareness
• Increased heart rate pushing blood to muscle for physical action
• Increased respiration supplying oxygen to brain for rapid response planning
• Release of glucose into bloodstream to provide energy
• Increased sweating to cool body

Question 4

Limitations of fight or flight

Answer 4

• Consequences on body in modern world (eg. Not helpful plus response produces high levels of cortisol which suppress immune system)
• Gender bias so differences ignored, presenting beta bias (eg. Taylor suggests females protect through tending and befriending)
• Incomplete explanation (eg. Gray argues most animals freeze due to adaptive advantages like looking for information)