Fight or flight

• • Amygdala sends distress signals to the hypothalamus when we are faced with a perceived threat
• • Hypothalamus releases CRH into bloodstream
• For acute stress:

  • SNS prepares the body for rapid action
  • Adrenal medulla releases adrenaline to the bloodstream, increasing heart rate and releasing blood sugar
  • PNS dampens stress response when threat has passed
• For prolonged stress:

  • HPA axis: sequence of bodily activity in response to stress (hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal cortex)
  • In response to continued threat, hypothalamus releases more CRH 
  • Pituitary releases ACTH into the bloodstream towards adrenal glands
  • Adrenal cortex releases stress hormones including cortisol. Feedback system monitors cortisol, CRH and ACTH production lessened if cortisol levels too high
• AO3

  • Taylor 2000, suggests female response to stress more tend/befriend than fight/flight. They protect themselves and their young through nurturing or allying behaviour, possibly because they have evolved this way due to being primary child caregiver. Fleeing would put a child at risk - explains higher levels of oxytocin in females
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  • Stress response may be maladaptive. While we used to need this in energetic responses, we often don't react so physically in response to stress anymore. Things like increased blood pressure (SNS), suppressing immune responses (cortisol) can be dangerous and lead to later diseases
• AO3

  • Gray 1988, suggests that before fighting or running, our first response is actually to freeze - basically to stop, look and listen
• AO3

  • Von Dawans 2012, challenges the reactive difference between men and women. Found acute stress led to cooperative and friendly behaviour in both genders, helping explain human connection during times of disaster
• AO3

  • Lee and Harley 2012, found evidence for gender differences. SRY gene only found in male Y chromosome, promoting aggression and therefore fight/flight response