The fight or flight response including the role of adrenaline.

What is the Fight or Flight Response?

• Biological response to perceived threat or stress.
• Prepares the body for action by either fighting the threat or escaping from it.
• Proposed by Cannon.

What is the Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System in Fight or Flight?

• The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system becomes activated during stress or threat.
• Sends signals to the adrenal glands to release adrenaline.
• Causes physiological arousal.

What is the Role of Adrenaline in Fight or Flight?

• Adrenal glands release adrenaline into the bloodstream during stressful situations.
• Adrenaline acts as a hormone that increases physiological arousal and prepares the body for rapid action.

Effects of Adrenaline During Fight or Flight

• Increases heart rate.
• Increases breathing rate.
• Causes pupil dilation.
• Increases blood flow to muscles.
• Suppresses digestion.
• Increases alertness and energy levels.

What is the Role of the Parasympathetic Nervous System?

• The parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system restores the body to its resting state after a threat has passed.
• Responsible for the rest and digest response.

Effects of the Parasympathetic Nervous System During Rest and Digest

• Reduces heart rate.
• Reduces breathing rate.
• Constricts pupils.
• Restarts digestion.
• Conserves energy.
• Returns the body to its normal resting state.

What is the Flow of the Fight or Flight Response?

• Threat is perceived.
• Sympathetic nervous system becomes activated.
• Adrenal glands release adrenaline.
• Physiological arousal occurs.
• Body prepares for fight or escape.
• Parasympathetic nervous system later restores resting state.

Fight or Flight Response — AO3: Maladaptive Response

• Modern stressors are often psychological rather than physical.
• Physiological arousal may not always be useful in situations such as exams or work stress.

Fight or Flight Response — AO3: Tend and Befriend

• Taylor et al argued females may respond to stress differently.
• Females may protect offspring and seek social support instead of fighting or fleeing.
• Suggests fight or flight may be male-biased.

Fight or Flight Response — AO3: Scientific Credibility

• Physiological changes during stress can be scientifically measured.
• Gives biopsychology scientific credibility.