Models of Stress as a Biological Process Flashcards
What is the FFF response?
involuntary response to sudden or immediate threats
Fight - confronting the threat
Flight - escaping the threat
Freeze - keeping still and silent
How does the FFF activate?
- hypothamulus activates the medulla and releases adrenaline + nonadrenaline
What activates the Fight and Flight response
sympathetic ns
What is the role of cortisol?
energises the body by increasing energy supplies
controls blood sugar levels and enhances blood sugar levels
Why is cortisol released?
because the body cannot maintain the fff response for a prolonged period of time
What happens when there is too much cortisol?
impairs immune system functioning and vulnerable to diseases
What is the role of the HPA axis?
releases cortisol when the body can no longer under the FFF response for a prolonged period of time
What is the process of the HPA axis?
hypothamulus stimulates the pituitary gland - releases ACTH through the blood - activates the adrenal glands to release cortisol into the bloodstream
What is the model that represents the biological process of stress?
Selye’s GAS model
What is the GAS model?
states that there is a three stage physiological response to a stressor
What is the first stage of GAS?
Alarm
What happens in shock?
initial state of shock - ability to deal with the stressor drops below normal
What is the second part of shock?
Countershock = sympathetic ns is activated and the body’s resistance to stress increases
What is the second stage of GAS
Resistance stage = bodies resistance to a stressor rises above normal
- shuts off any unnecesary body functions
What is the last stage of GAS?
Exhaustion = become vulnerable to diseases + immune system starts t weaken
