Lesson 5- fight and flight

Question 1

fight or flight in the brain

Answer 1

-amygdala is activated, associates sensory signals with emotions associated with fight or flight, sends distress signal to hypothalamus
-functions like command centre in brain which communicates with the rest of the body through sympathetic nervous system
-bodys response to stress invovles accute stressors and chronic stressors

Question 2

response to acute stressors

Answer 2

SNS- begins preparing body for rapid action necessary for f/f, sends signal to adrenal medulla which responds by releasing hormone adrenaline to bloodstream
-adrenaline causes faster heart beat, faster breathing, release of blood sugar as well as fats
PNS- when threat has passed pns dampens down stress response, slows heart beat down, reduces blood pressure, digestion begins again

Question 3

response to chronic stressors

Answer 3

if brain continues to perceive threat, second system kicks in, HPA axis
Hypothalamus- hpa axis relies on series of hormonal signals to keep sns working, releases chemical messenger corticotrophin-releasing hormone CRH into bloodstream
Pituitary gland- arrives here, causes it to produce and release adrenocorticotrophic hormone ACTH, transported in bloodstream to target site in adrenal glands
Adrenal glands- ACTH stimulates adrenal cortex to release various stress-related hormones, including cortisol- responsbile for several effects in body important for f/f, positive- quick burst of energy, lower sensitivity to pain, negative- lowered immune response, imparied cognitive functioning

Question 4

feedback

Answer 4

hpa system is efficient in regulating itself, both hypothalamus and pituitary gland have special receptors that monitor cortisol levels, if rise above normal they initiate reduction in CRH and ATCH, bringing cortisol levels back to normal

Question 5

fight or flight evaluation

Answer 5

-supported by evolutionary psychology
-studies support claim that adrenaline is essential in preparing body for f/f, people with malfunctioning adrenal glands do not have normal f/f
-reaction is not limited to f/f, some suggest humans engage in ‘freeze’, Gray 1988 suggests first response is to avoid confrontation altogether, during freeze response animals and humans are hyper vigilant, while they appraise situation to decide the best course of action for that particular threat
-research suggests females adopt tend and befriend, Taylor et al 2000, women are more likely to protect offspring and form alliances rather than fight or flee, may be counterinituitive for women-putting offspring in danger
-Von dawans 2012, during 9/11 attack both males and females showed tend and befriend to contact loved ones and help each other
-useful survival mechanism for ancestors facing life-threatening situations, modern day life rarely requires such intense biological response, stressors of modern day life can repeatedly activate f/f, negative consequences for health