Fight or flight

• What triggers the sympathetic branch of the ANS when a stressor is perceived?

  The hypothalamus
• What physiological state does the ANS change to in response to stress?

  The physiologically aroused sympathetic state
• What hormone is released from the adrenal medulla during the fight or flight response?

  Adrenaline
• What physiological changes does adrenaline trigger in the body?

  Increased heart rate and other changes
• What type of action is the fight or flight response considered?

  An involuntary action
• What happens to the body once the threat has passed?

  The parasympathetic system returns it to resting state
• What are the physiological changes in the sympathetic state?

  • Increases heart rate
  • Increases breathing rate
  • Dilates pupils
  • Inhibits digestion
  • Inhibits saliva production
  • Contracts rectum
• What are the physiological changes in the parasympathetic state?

  • Decreases heart rate
  • Decreases breathing rate
  • Constricts pupils
  • Stimulates digestion
  • Stimulates saliva production
  • Relaxes rectum
• What limitation does Gray (1989) suggest about the fight or flight response?

  It may not account for the freeze response
• What occurs during the freeze response according to Gray?

  Hypervigilance while appraising the situation
• How does the fight-or-flight response differ between genders?

  Women tend to adopt a tend and befriend response
• What did Taylor et al. (1990) find about women's responses to stress?

  Women protect offspring and form alliances
• What is a limitation of research on the fight-or-flight response?

  It often focuses on male subjects
• Why is the fight-or-flight response considered outdated?

  Modern life rarely requires such a response
• What health concerns can arise from repeated activation of the fight-or-flight response?

  Raised blood pressure and other issues
• How is the fight-or-flight response maladaptive in modern life?

  It can cause health concerns due to stress