l5- fight or flight

Question 1

what happens when threat is detected?

Answer 1

• threat= amygdala activated (associates sensory signals with emotions associated with f+f)
• sends distress signal to hypothalamus,

Question 2

what is the hypothalamus

Answer 2

• part of brain which functions like command centre

- communicates with rest of the body through sympathetic nervous system

Question 3

types of stressors

Answer 3

• acute (sudden) stressors

- chronic (ongoing) stressors.

Question 4

response to acute stressors

Answer 4

• SNS triggered = begins prepping the body for f+f.
• SNS sends signal to adrenal medulla - releases adrenaline: heart rate, blood pressure up- pushes blood to muscles, heart and other vital organs, breathing rate up- oxygen intake up, blood sugar + fats released- energy for response
• threat passed= parasympathetic NS dampens stress response. heart rate, blood pressure down + digestion starts

Question 5

response to chronic stressors

Answer 5

• continual threat= HPA axis, activated by hypothalamus after initial surge of adrenaline subsides
  -‘H’ – hypothalamus releases CRH in response to the stressor.
  ‘P’ – CRH causes pituitary gland to release ACTH into bloodstream to adrenal glands (target site)
  ‘A’ – ACTH stimulates adrenal cortex to release cortisol- positive effects (e.g. a quick burst of energy and lower sensitivity to pain) negative effects (e.g. lowered immune response and impaired cognitive performance)
• efficient at regulating itself. H+P have special receptors that monitor cortisol levels- rise= initiate reduction in CRH and ACTH = cortisol normal

Question 6

strengths of fight or flight

Answer 6

• makes sense from an evolutionary psychology pov= would have helped an individual to survive= valid
• Studies supports claim adrenaline is essential in preparing the body for stress. People who have malfunctioning adrenal glands do not have a normal fight or flight response to stress.

Question 7

weaknesses of fight or flight

Answer 7

• Gray- reaction is not limited to the fight or flight response- freeze- avoid confrontation. during it, hyper-vigilant, analyse best thing to do. DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT OTHER RESPONSES
• Taylor et al- f+f= typically male response, tend + befriend= female (protect offspring, alliances with other women)- COUNTERINTUITIVE. males even t+b- 9/11.- behaviour relative to both genders. - research recognising gender differences- avoid beta bias
• F+F useful for ancestors (life/death situations), modern day rarely requires intense biological response. stressors of modern life can repeatedly activate f+f- negative health effects e.g. blood pressure up- damaged blood vessels and heart disease. .F+F IS MALADAPTIVE RESPONSE IN MODERN LIFE.