The fight-or-flight Response

• The fight or flight response for acute stress:

  1. The amygdala associates sensory signals to emotions & sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus
  2. The hypothalamus communicates with the rest of the body through the Sympathetic nervous system
  3. The Sympathetic nervous system sends a signal to the adrenal medulla which releases adrenaline
  4. The parasympathetic nervous system dampens down the stress response if safe
• Fight or flight response for chronic stress:

  1. The amygdala associates sensory signals with emotions & sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus
  2. The hypothalamus communicates with the rest of the body through the Sympathetic nervous system
  3. HPA axis is activated
  4. Hypothalamus releases CRH
  5. Pituitary Gland releases ACTH in response
  6. Adrenal Glands release various hormones (e.g cortisol)
  7. Feedback - cortisol levels are monitored so that ACTH & CRH are inhibited if too high
• Fight or flight evaluation:

  • ❌ Tend & befriend - women protect themselves & their young through nurturing & forming protective alliances - male based research
  • ❌ Negative consequences- FoF responses are adaptive for energetic behaviours - increased blood pressure can lead to physical damage
  • ❌ Fight, flight, freeze - initial freeze response for any danger - adaptive advantages is freezing focuses attention
  • Positive outcomes to acute stress - can lead to greater cooperative behaviour
  • Genetic basis to sex difference - SRY gene only in males promotes aggression
• Fight or flight response AO3:

  • ❌ Tend & befriend
  • ❌ Negative consequences
  • ❌ Fight, flight, freeze
  • Positive outcomes to acute stress
  • Genetic basis to sex differences