fight or flight

• define the fight or flight response

  sequence of activity that's triggered when preparing body for defending, attacking or running away
• what's the 3 step process for this response?

  1. threat
  2. amygdala mobilises, associates sensory information with emotions
  3. distress signal to hypothalamus which communicates with body via nervous system
• what are the two types of stressors?

  1. acute - sudden
  2. chronic - ongoing
• outline acute stressors

  adrenaline

  • heart and breathing rate increases
  • releases blood sugar to provide energy
• what's the communication system for chronic stressors?

  HPA axis
• outline the HPA axis

  H - hypothalamus releases chemical messenger to respond to threat

  • CRH

  P - CRH causes pituitary gland to release ACTH to the adrenal gland

  
  

  A - adrenal gland releases stress relieving hormones

  • cortisol is too high, reduction in CRH and ACTH levels
• what did Taylor et al find out about the fight or flight response?

  • females respond through nurturing behaviours
  • oxytocin in rats inhibit flight response and promotes relaxation
• what did Lee & Harley find out about the fight or flight response?

  • genetic basis for gender differences
  • SRY gene in male makes men respond differently
  • SRY gene is absent in females
• what did Gray find out about the fight or flight response?

  initial response is to avoid confrontation

  • animals display "freeze" response
  • focuses attention
• one weakness of the fight or flight response

  negative consequences

  • physiological changes damage blood vessels
  • shuts down immune system which increases risk of illness
  • utility of response is limited
• second weakness of the fight or flight response

  sex differences

  • Taylor - "tend and befriend" response in females
  • Lee & Harley - genetic basis in SRY gene for men
  • impacts generalisability
• third weakness of the fight or flight response

  oversimplification

  • Gray - "freeze" response to focus attention
  • animal studies lack validity
  • not comprehensive explanation
• what's the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in the fight or flight response?

  • before threat is detected, body is in the parasympathetic state
  • once the threat has passed, parasympathetic nervous system returns body to rest
  • antagonises the sympathetic system

  rest and digest response

  • acts as a "brake" and reduces activities of the body
• what's the role of the sympathetic nervous system in the fight or flight response?

  • hypothalamus triggers sympathetic branch when the body becomes physiologically aroused
  • people experience "butterflies" and increased heart rate