fight or flight

• define the fight or flight response

  sequence of activity that's triggered when preparing body for defending, attacking and running away
• 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 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 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
• 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
• what are the 4 steps of fight or flight?

  1. threat is detected
  2. The hypothalamus receives a stress signal and triggers activities in the sympathetic part of the ANS
  3. The ANS changes from its resting state (parasympathetic) to the sympathetic state
  4. Adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla which triggers physiological changes in the body
• what happens during 'rest and digest'?

  1. The threat passes
  2. The parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to its resting state
  3. The PNS acts as a brake and reduces the activities of the body that were increased by the actions of the sympathetic branch