Fight or flight response Flashcards
Fight or flight response
A sequence of activity within the body that is triggered when the body prepares itself for defending and attacking or running to safety.
Activity involves changes in nervous system and secretion of hormones to sustain arousal.
Step One
Stressor is perceived.
Step Two
Hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the ANS. ANS changes from normal resting state (parasympathetic) to physiologically aroused state.
Step Three
Stress hormone adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream, and noradrenaline to the brain.
Step Four
Adrenaline triggers physiological changes in the body which creates the physiological arousal necessary for flight or fight response (automatic reaction in the body).
Step Five
The physiological changes explain why stress, panic, or excitement is experienced as a ‘sick’ feeling (butterflies in the stomach).
Step Six
Once the threat has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system returns body to resting state- actions are antagonistic to the sympathetic system. “Rest and digest” response.
Adrenaline
Adrenaline has a strong effect on the cells of the cardiovascular system- stimulating the heart rate, contracting blood vessels and dilating air passages.
AO3: Issues and debates
Research suggests it suffers from beta bias, may not apply to women.
Taylor et al (2000)- women under stress protect themselves by caring for and nurturing their young (tending) and by forming alliances (befriending).
Furthered through differences in genes. Lee and Harley (2012) showed SRY gene found on male Y chromosome is responsible for FFR.
AO3: Positives
AO3: Modern time
FFR is not well suited to modern day stressors, adaptive for stressful situations where an energetic response is required eg. fleeing from predators. Modern day stresses, like exam stress, does not require energetic response, and instead repeatedly activate the response, which can lead to health conditions (high blood pressure -> heart disease)
