Fight or flight Flashcards
When would the fight /flight response be activated?
When someone enters a potentially dangerous situation.
Which part of the limbic system is activated to start the response?
Amygdala.
Through which ANS branch is a distress signal sent through from the amygdala?
Sympathetic nervous system.
What does the amygdala respond to?
Sensory input (what we see, hear, smell, etc.)
What part of the brain detects potential danger and sends the hypothalamus a distress signal?
The amygdala.
What does the amygdala do?
Detects when someone enters a potentially stressful situation.
When the amygdala is activated, what happens next?
It sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus.
During the response, an individual can experience increased heart rate, why is this beneficial?
To increase blood flow to the organs and increase the movement of adrenaline around the body.
During the response, an individual can experience pupil dilation, why is this beneficial?
To increase light entry into the eye and enhance vision (especially in the dark).
During the response, an individual can experience increased sweat production, why is this beneficial?
To regulate temperature more efficiently.
During the response, an individual can experience increased breathing rate, why is this beneficial?
To increase oxygen intake.
During the response, an individual can experience a reduction of non-essential functions (digestive, urination and salivation), why is this beneficial?
To increase the energy supply for other essential functions that are more relevant at the time.
What does the hypothalamus do when it receives a distress signal?
Activates the sympathomedullary pathway (SAM pathway).
When the sympathomedullary pathway (SAM pathway) is activated, what occurs next?
The adrenal medulla is stimulated and secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream.
The adrenal medulla is activated through the sympathomedullary pathway (SAM pathway) and what does it do then?
Adrenaline and Noradrenaline.
What does adrenaline do when released into the bloodstream?
Causes a number of physiological changes to prepare the body for flight / fight.
What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in the response?
Following the response, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated to return the body back to its ‘normal’ resting state.
(AO3). Gray (1988) suggested the first response to danger is to avoid confrontation altogether, what evidence is there to this theory?
Our actions are not limited to flight / fight, we have been known to ‘freeze’ where we are hyper-vigilant showing we try to avoid all confrontations.
(AO3). Taylor (2000) found women have a different response to men in the situations, often adopting a completely different approach altogether:
Women may adopt a ‘tend and befriend’ response where they are most likely to protect their offspring ‘tend’ and form alliances with other women ‘befriend’.
(AO3). Early research into the response was done completely on males.
Meaning the research is androcentric and the findings cannot be generalised to females. This highlights a beta bias until Taylor provided evidence of a ‘tend a befriend’ response.
Why may shaking occur during and after the response?
The muscles become tense and primed for action, this tension can result in trembling or shaking.
Why does the body convert stored glycogen into glucose during the response?
To prepare for increased energy release.
Why may the face become red during the response?
As blood rushes quickly to the head.
Why may someone go pale during the response?
Blood is directed away from the skin.
