PAPER 2 - BIOPSYCHOLOGY - fight or flight response

Question 1

what is the definition of the fight or flight response?

Answer 1

a sequence of activity within the body that’s triggered when the body prepares itself for attacking (fight) or running away (flight)

Question 2

what does fight or flight involve?

Answer 2

involves changes in the nervous system and secretion of hormones sustaining arousal

Question 3

what are the 2 types of fight or flight responses to stress?

Answer 3

• acute stress
• chronic stress

Question 4

what is acute stress?

Answer 4

stress that lasts for short period of time

Question 5

what is chronic stress?

Answer 5

consistent feeling of stress

Question 6

what is the pathway of the fight or flight response to stress?

Answer 6

ANYGDALA DETECTS STRESSOR
↓ (sends messages to)
HIPPOCAMPUS
↓ (triggers)
ADRENAL MEDULLA
↓ (releases)
ADRENALINE & NORADRENALINE
↓
fight or flight

Question 7

what happens when the acute stressor goes?

Answer 7

parasympathetic system is triggered - restores balance

Question 8

what are features of the sympathetic NS and adrenaline?

Answer 8

• increased heart rate
• reduces stomach activity
• inhibits saliva production
• dilated pupils
• uses energy

Question 9

where is adrenaline and noradrenaline released from?

Answer 9

adrenal medulla - part of adrenal glands

Question 10

what is the adrenal medulla?

Answer 10

releases hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline into bloodstream

Question 11

what is the role of adrenaline?

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

what is the role of noradrenaline?

Answer 12

constricts blood vessels causing increased blood pressure

Question 13

what are the pathways involved in stress response?

Answer 13

• sympathomedullary (SAM) pathway
• pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system

Question 14

what happens during SAM pathway?

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

what are the consequences of the SAM pathway?

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

what is the HPA pathway?

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

what are the consequences of the HPA pathway?

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

how is the study by Taylor an evaluation point for the fights or flight response?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

who challenged Taylor (2000) and why?

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

what has been argued about the first stage of the fight or flight response?

Answer 20

• 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

Question 21

what is a limitation about the adaptiveness of the fight or flight response?

Answer 21

• 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