Fight or Flight Response

Question 1

What does the fight or flight mechanism allow an idividual to do

Answer 1

Fight off the threat or flee to safety

Question 2

What happens when an individual is faced with a threat

Answer 2

The amygdala is mobilised, which associates sensory signals with emotions associated with fight or flight, such as fear or anger, and sends a stress signal to the hypothalamus, which acts as a command centre

Question 3

What are the two types of stressors

Answer 3

Acute stressors (sudden), such as personal attack
Chronic stressors (ongoing), such as a stressful job

Question 4

What is the response to acute stressors

Answer 4

The sympathetic nervous system is activated. This sends a signal to the adrenal medulla, which releases adrenaline into the bloodstream

Question 5

What physical changes does adrenaline cause

Answer 5

-Faster Heartbeat, which pushes blood to muscles and vital organs, increasing blood pressure
-Breathing becomes more rapid in order to take in more oxygen
-A release in blood sugar and fats, supplying energy to the body

Question 6

What happens in the response to acute stressors after a threat has passed

Answer 6

The parasympathetic nervous system is triggered, which dampens stress response by slowing down the heartbeat, reducing blood pressure. Digestion, which is inhibited when the sympathetic nervous system is activated, also begins again

Question 7

What is the response to chronic stressors

Answer 7

As an initial urge of adrenaline subsides, the hypothalamus activates a stress response system called the HPA axis

Question 8

What is the HPA axis

Answer 8

Consists of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the adrenal gland. The hypothalamus releases corticotrophin-releasing hormone into the bloodstream. On arrival to the pituitary gland, it causes the production and release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone. This arrives through the bloodstream at the adrenal glands. ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release stress related hormones like cortisol

Question 9

What does the hypothalamus do in the HPA axis

Answer 9

Releases corticotrophin-releasing hormone, targeting the pituitary gland

Question 10

What does the pituitary gland do as part of the HPA axis

Answer 10

When detecting CRH, it produces and releases adrenocorticotrophic hormone, targeting the adrenal glands

Question 11

What do the adrenal glands do as part of the HPA axis

Answer 11

When stimulated by ACTH, the adrenal cortex releases various stress related hormones like cortisol

Question 12

What does cortisol do to the body

Answer 12

Has some positive effects like a quick burst of energy and lower sensitivity to pain, while some effects are negative, such as impaired cognitive performance and lowered immune response

Question 13

How is the chronic stress response in the Fight or Flight response regulated

Answer 13

The system is self-regulating, with both the hypothalamus and pituitary gland having special receptors that monitor circulating cortisol levels, and initiate a reduction in CRH and ACTH levels if they rise above a normal level, bringing cortisol levels back to normal

Question 14

Why might the fight or flight response be gender biased

Answer 14

Taylor et al suggested that for females stress response are characterised by a pattern of tend and befriend rather than fight ot flight. This involves protecting their young through nurturing behaviours, which is tend, and forming alliances with other women, which is befriend. This may have evolved in the context of being the primary caregiver, so fleeing from danger would put a female’s offspring at risk. This is beta bias

Question 15

Who suggested the tend and befriend response

Answer 15

Taylor et al

Question 16

Why might there be a genetic basis to sex differences in the fight or flight repsonse

Answer 16

Lee and Harley suggested the SRY gene, found exclusively in the male Y chromosome, which directs male development, may be related to the fight or flight response. It promotes aggression and so may result in a fight or flight response to stress. The absence of the gene in females may prevent this response to stress. Higher levels of the hormone oxytocin in females could contribute to differing stress responses

Question 17

Who suggested the genetic basis for differences in the fight or flight response

Answer 17

Lee and Harley

Question 18

Why might the fight or flight response not be the whole story

Answer 18

Gray argued that the first phrase of reaction to a threat is to try and avoid confrontation. He suggests that prior to the other responses there is typically a freeze response. This is essentially a stop, look and listen response, where the animal is hypervigilant and alert to the slightest sign of danger. This has many adaptive advantages, for example, determining the best response to a threat

Question 19

Who suggested that the fight or flight response is incomplete

Answer 19

Gray

Question 20

What has challenged the view that under stress men respond only with fight or flight

Answer 20

Von Dawans et al’s study found that acute stress can actually lead to greater cooperative and friendly behaviour in both men and women. This could explain the human connection that happens during times of crisis. One possible reason for this behaviour is that humans are social animals and there is a protective nature of human social relationships that allowed our species to thrive

Question 21

Who’s study suggests that both men and women get along in stressful situations

Answer 21

Von Dawans et al’s study