Fight or flight response Flashcards
Fight or flight response intro
The ANS and the endocrine system plays a major role in the stress response in producing the fight or flight response. When a stressor is identified by the brain it activates the sympathetic branch in the ANS.
AO1: Fight or flight
1) A stressor is identified by the hypothalamus which activates the pituitary gland and triggers the sympathetic branch of the ANS
2) Adrenaline is released by the adrenal medulla in the blood stream
3) The fight or flight response prepares the body for sudden physical action. This causes psychological reactions such as increased sweating, heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. It reduces saliva production and digestion. This is an immediate and automatic response.
4) The parasympathetic branch returns the body back to normal once the stressor has been removed.
What are the evaluations for the flight or fight response? (2)
1) Doesn’t fully explain for females
2) Human behaviour is not limited to two responses
AO3: Doesn’t fully explain for females
An issue with the explanation of flight or fight is that it doesn’t fully explain the stress response in females. For example research has found that females are more likely to protect their offspring and form alliances with other women or the offender in the case of a crime that to fight or run away. This suggests there is gender bias as it suggests that men and women respond the same way in threatening situations prior to this research. Therefore this limits the explanation of fight or flight.
AO3: Human behaviour is not limited to two responses
An issue of the fight or flight response is hat human behaviour is not limited to two responses. Some psychologists suggest that the first response is to avoid confrontation altogether through a freeze. This is where humans condor the best course of action for the threat they’re faced with. This suggests the fight or flight doesn’t consider other factors such as thought processes.
AO1: Adrenaline and its role in fight or flight
Adrenaline is the hormone released from the adrenal medulla. It travels through the blood stream and activates the heart and circulatory system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. These changes are an important part of the fight or flight response.
Direct effect of adrenaline: increase heart rate increasing the rate of blood flow and blood pressure. This increases blood flow to the brain and skeletal muscles
Indirect effect of adrenaline: prepares body for action such as fight or flight, increases blood supply to skeletal muscles for physical action stops digestion and saliva production. Increase oxygen to brain for rapid response planning.
