Lesson 5 - The Flight Or Fight Response

Question 1

The fight or flight response

Answer 1

The amygdala senses that we are threatened, and associates sensory signals with emotions like fear and anger.

The amygdala sends a stress signal to the hypothalamus, and this part of the brain communicates with the rest of the body through the sympathetic nervous system

Question 2

Response to acute stressors

Answer 2

Acute = Sudden

• The SNS sends a signal to the adrenal medulla which releases adrenaline
• The heart beats faster pushing blood to the muscles and vital organs and the blood pressure increases
• Breathing becomes faster so that you can take in as much oxygen as possible
• Blood sugar and fats are released which flow into the bloodstream supplying body parts which energy

Question 3

Role of the Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 3

The ‘Rest and Digest System’

• The PNS dampens the stress response by slowing the heartbeat and reducing blood pressure. The digestive system also starts again

Question 4

Strengths of fight or flight

Answer 4

• It makes complete sense from an evolutionary standpoint, as humans would have had to develop a way to adapt to the dangers of prehistoric life, such as wild animals, and fighting them or fleeing would have proven effective

Question 5

Weaknesses of fight or flight

Answer 5

• It doesnt account for a ‘freeze’ response. Gray (1988) suggests that the initial response to a dangerous situation is to freeze and analyse the situation in a state of hyper vigilance.
• Taylor et al (2000) found found that women are more likely to show a ‘tend and befriend’ approach. Women are more likely to protect their offspring (tend) and befriend other women (befriend) in a response to danger.
• Von Dawans (2012) also found that males tend and befriend. During 9/11, both genders tried to contact loved ones and help one another. These studies avoid beta bias, which is the minimising of sex differences in research.
• Modern day ‘dangers’ do not require such an intense biological response. Also, those who do live quite stressful lifestyles may see negative consequences on their health, as they keep increasing their blood flow and pressure. It is a maladaptive response to modern day life