Fight or flight response

what is the fight or flight response?

it has evolved as a survival mechanism to react quickly to life threatening events

what two systems work together during the fight or flight response?

the nervous system and the endocrine system

what part of the brain recognises the initial threat in a situation?

the hypothalamus (deals with basic survival functions)

give the immediate response to fight or flight in terms of messages sent throughout the nervous and endocrine systems.

• hypothalamus sends message to adrenal gland

• adrenal gland tells adrenal medulla to release adrenaline into bloodstream and noradrenaline to the brain

• ANS sends msgs to sympathetic branches of brain to create physical symptoms

what are some physical effects of fight or flight response? list as many as possible.

• saliva flow decreases (dry mouth)

• pupils dilate

• sweating and chills

• lungs → quick, deep breathing

• heart beats faster and harder

• stomach → output of digestive enzymes decreases

• blood pressure increases as major blood vessels dilate

• muscles become tense = trembling

what happens if the brain continues to perceive something as a threat for a prolonged period of time?

• pituitary gland releases ACTH

• ACTH travels to adrenal cortex to tell it to produce cortisol

what are the effects of cortisol?

makes you release stored energy (e.g. increase blood sugar levels) and suppresses the immune system

why is cortisol released?

if a threat persists

do men and women respond the same way during threats that trigger a stress response?

• no

• men have higher levels of testosterone = more likely to be aggressive and fight

• women also release oxytocin meaning they may use the ‘tend and befriend’ response in times of stress

when some animals encounter stress, do they only use the fight or flights responses?

no, they can also freeze

who conducted research on the female response to stress?

taylor (2000)

what did taylor (2000) find in her research into the female response to stress?

• more characterised by ‘tend and befriend’ than fight or flight

• ‘tend and befriend’ more useful for offspring

  • fight may lead to injury or death

  • flight not useful if leaving the offspring

what are some ways that stress can be managed?

• stress management programmes

• drugs (e.g. benzodiazepines)

• cognitive approaches (CBT)

• exercise (physically exerting your stress)