Fight or Flight Flashcards
What is the flight or fight response?
An evolutionary survival mechanism in response to a threat. It primes the body and mind for extreme action, such as fighting for our life or escaping a threat. The body returns to homeostasis after the threat has passed.
How does it work?
Stressor picked up by hypothalamus and the pituitary gland releases ACTH, then detected by the adrenal cortex triggering cortisol. ANd the adrenal medulla is triggered releasing adrenaline.
Psychological affects of Adrenaline?
Increased anxiety, attention and alertness.
Physical effects of adrenaline?
Increased blood flow to the brain and skeletal muscles and decreased blood flow to the skin and the digestive and immune system s, dilated pupils and faster breathing rate.
The Fight or Flight Response
Maladaptive to the modern world, and is frequently triggered by stimuli that cannot be run away from or fought. This results in acute stress in the short term, and long term response can result in chronic stress, which could result in chronic stress.
