PAPER 2 - BIOPSYCHOLOGY - fight or flight response Flashcards
what is the definition of the fight or flight response?
a sequence of activity within the body that’s triggered when the body prepares itself for attacking (fight) or running away (flight)
what does fight or flight involve?
involves changes in the nervous system and secretion of hormones sustaining arousal
what are the 2 types of fight or flight responses to stress?
- acute stress
- chronic stress
what is acute stress?
stress that lasts for short period of time
what is chronic stress?
consistent feeling of stress
what is the pathway of the fight or flight response to stress?
ANYGDALA DETECTS STRESSOR
↓ (sends messages to)
HIPPOCAMPUS
↓ (triggers)
ADRENAL MEDULLA
↓ (releases)
ADRENALINE & NORADRENALINE
↓
fight or flight
what happens when the acute stressor goes?
parasympathetic system is triggered - restores balance
what are features of the sympathetic NS and adrenaline?
- increased heart rate
- reduces stomach activity
- inhibits saliva production
- dilated pupils
- uses energy
where is adrenaline and noradrenaline released from?
adrenal medulla - part of adrenal glands
what is the adrenal medulla?
releases hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline into bloodstream
what is the role of adrenaline?
- increases heart rate, pushes blood to muscles, heart and other organs and blood pressure increases
- rapid breathing, increase oxygen intake
- boosts supply of oxygen to skeletal muscles, increasing physical activity
- triggers release of glucose into bloodstream, supply of energy
- reduces activity of parasympathetic branch
what is the role of noradrenaline?
constricts blood vessels causing increased blood pressure
what are the pathways involved in stress response?
- sympathomedullary (SAM) pathway
- pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system
what happens during SAM pathway?
- arousal of sympathetic branch of autonomic NS (ANS)
- stimulates adrenal medulla to release adrenaline and noradrenaline into bloodstream
- these act as arousal hormones
- ensures fast and efficient response of the fight or flight
what are the consequences of the SAM pathway?
- increased heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure
- results in oxygen being rapidly pumped to muscles, increasing physical activity
- reduced stomach activity
- inhibited saliva production
- glucose released into bloodstream to provide more energy
what is the HPA pathway?
- activation of hypothalamus leads to production of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF)
- this stimulates pituitary to secrete adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
- this travels to, and stimulates adrenal cortex to release cortisol and corticosterone into bloodstream
what are the consequences of the HPA pathway?
- positive: released of cortisol leads to increased release of body’s energy reserves in the form of raised blood levels of glucose and fatty acids, maintains energy to cope with long term stress
- negative: however, if sustained over long periods, raised levels of corticosteroids suppress immune system
how is the study by Taylor an evaluation point for the fights or flight response?
gender differences
- Taylor (2000) suggested for females, behavioural response to stress is characterised as ‘tend and befriend’ not fight or flight
- involves protecting themselves and their young through nurturing behaviours and forming protective alliances with other women (befriend)
- fleeing at danger would put offspring at risk
- ANDROCENTRIC VIEW - only male participants/conclusions
who challenged Taylor (2000) and why?
- Von Dawans
- positive rather than ‘fight or flight’ behaviours
- found that acute stress can actually lead to greater friendly and cooperative behaviour (men & women) e.g. humanistic connection from 9/11
- tend & befriend behaviour not only present in females
what has been argued about the first stage of the fight or flight response?
- prior to fight or flight response, most animals display ‘freeze’ response and are alter to slightest sign of danger
- this response allows them to focus their attention and make the best decision about how to respond to the threat
what is a limitation about the adaptiveness of the fight or flight response?
- not necessarily adaptive for modern day stressors which rarely require physical activity
- repeated activation of the stress response can result in increased blood pressure and damage blood vessels, leading to heart disease
