Fight or flight response

• First step in flight or fight -

  A person receives an acute stresser
• Second step in flight or fight -

  The amygdala (part of the limbic system) is activated which sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus
• Third step in flight or fight -

  The hypothalamus sends a signal to the adrenal medulla which stimulates the fight or flight response
• Fourth step in flight or fight -

  This gland then secretes adrenaline into the bloodstream
• Fifth step in flight or fight -

  Adrenaline leads to a number of physiological changes within the body for example increase heart rate
• Sixth step in flight or fight -


  These changes prepare the body to either fight the stressor or flight from the stressor
• Seventh step in flight or fight -

  Once the stressor is overcome the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to a state of relaxation
• Physiological changes -

  -Pupil dilation

  -Less saliva

  -Hair rise

  -Sweat

  -Bladder muscles contract

  -Digestion inhibited

  -increased heart rate
• Physiological changes increase heart rate- 


  Allows more blood flow around the body more oxygen
• Physiological changes digestion inhibited -


  Helps save energy
• Physiological changes bladder muscles contract- 


  Save energy stop urination
• Physiological changes bladder muscles contract- 


  Save energy stop urination
• Physiological changes sweat- 


  Cools the body down
• Physiological changes less saliva- 


  Conserves energy
• Physiological changes pupil dilation- 


  To allow more light to enter eye so you can see more
• Fight or flight response helps an individual to react quicker than normal and facilitates optimal functioning so that they can fight a threat or run away from it
• Weakness of flight or fight (Health)-

  Can have a negative effect on health, especially in modern day life. Modern stressors tend to be non life threatening.

  However, they still trigger the release of adrenaline and other stress hormones which over time can have a consequence on health
• Weakness of fight or flight (Confrontation)- 


  Gary (1988) suggests that the first response to danger is to aviod confrontation altogether which is demonstrated by a freeze response

  Still it keeps us alive
• Weakness of fight or flight (females)- 


  Taylor (2002) suggests that the females adapt a 'tend and befriend' response in stressful/dangerous situations

  According to Taylor women are more likely to protect their offspring and form alliances with other women rather than fight or runaway