Outline and evaluate the fight or flight response.

A01

• the flight or fight response is an innate and automatic physiological reaction to a perceived threat.

• It’s purpose is to prepare body for immediate action to either confront the threat(fight) or escape it (flight)

• When threats is detected the hypothalamus activated the sympathetic nervous system . This stimulates the adrenal gland to release adrenaline into blood stream

• Adrenaline triggers a range of physiological changes including increased heart rate,faster breathing, dilution of pupils. These changes increase alertness and physical readiness

• Once threat has passed the parasympathetic brach of ANS works to restore body’s back to its resting state

A03

Strength- scientific evidence

Research into the role of the sympathetic nervous system and adrenaline demonstrates clear measurable physiological changes during stress. The objective evidence increases the validity of explanation and supports idea that the response has a strong biological basis

• widely accepted within pyschology as a credible explanation of acute stress repsonses

Weakness - overly simplistic

Assumes that individuals respond to threat in only two ways, whereas more recent research suggest additional responses such as ‘ freeze’

• indicates that human reactions to stress are more complex than originally proposed

• Lacks explanatory depth and may not be fully account for the range of human behaviours in threatening situations