FIGHT OR FLIGHT

• What happens when you get a fright?

  You are exposed to an acute stressor so your nervous and endocrine systems work together to prepare you for action
• What is the main chemical involved in fight or flight?

  adrenaline
• What is the process of fight or flight?


  A stressor is perceived

  The sympathetic branch of the ANS activated, causes the hypothalamus to signal the pituitary gland to release a hormone (ACTH) into bloodstream.

  ACTH activates the adrenal glands, causes them to release adrenaline.

  Adrenaline triggers changes in the target organs

  When the threat passes the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to normal state
• What happens when a stressor is perceived?

  The sympathetic nervous system is activated

  causes hypothalamus to signal to the pituitary gland
• what does the hypothalamus do?

  causes the pituitary gland to release ACTH into bloodstream
• What does ACTH do?

  Activated adrenal glands, causing them to produce and release adrenaline
• what does adrenaline do?

  creates the effects of the fight or flight response, such as increased heart rate, dilation of pupils
• Strength of fight or flight

  real world application, helps us understand why people react in the way they do when in a stressful situation
• weakness of fight or flight

  Taylor et al ‘Tend and Befriend’

  For females- reactions to stress are more tend and befriend, involve protecting themselves and children. Due to primary caregiver

  Positive behaviours over fight or flight

  challenged the gendered view , study found that acute stress can lead to greater cooperative behaviour in both genders, could explain connection in times of crisis
• weakness of fight or flight

  Negative consequences

  stress of modern life doesn’t require such levels of physical activity, if stress response is repeatedly activated there can be an increase ein blood pressure, can lead to vessels damage and heart attack