Fight or Flight Response

Question 1

Outline the first step of the fight or flight response

Answer 1

• A threat occurs resulting in high activity in the amygdala
• This is because the amygdala detects threats and processes emotions, particularly fear

Question 2

Outline the second step of the fight or flight response

Answer 2

• The amygdala sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus which activates the sympathetic nervous system

Question 3

Outline the third step of the fight or flight response

Answer 3

• The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for action by sending a message to the adrenal gland
• This causes the adrenal medulla to secrete adrenaline

Question 4

What physiological changes occur when adrenaline is secreted?

Answer 4

• Increased breathing and heart rate
• Inhibition of salivation and digestion
• Diversion of blood away from skin
• Increased sweat production (regulates body temperature so body doesn’t over heat)
• Pupil dilation (enlargement, allows more light into eyes)

Question 5

What occurs after the fight or flight response?

Answer 5

• Once threat has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system restores body back to its resting state.
• Produces opposite physiological changes as those when adrenaline is secreted

Question 6

What is one limitation of the fight or flight response?

Answer 6

• Rarely useful in modern-day life (e.g stressing for exams).
• Useful for ancestors facing life threatening situations (e.g from predators).
• Repeatedly activating it may lead to long-term stress, weakening the immune system and lead to illnesses.
• Questioning appropriateness

Question 7

What is another limitation of the fight or flight response?

Answer 7

• Negative implications of sexual assault cases.
• Doesn’t consider the ‘freeze’ response when there is a threat (often occurs in sexual assault).
• Would result in claims that individual consented.
• Questions appropriateness

Question 8

What is the final limitation of the fight or flight response?

Answer 8

• Typically male response to danger
• Females adopt ‘tend and befriend’ (protect offspring, befriend women).
• Researchers underestimated differences between genders on how they respond to danger.
• Questions appropriateness

Question 9

What is the strength of the fight or flight response?

Answer 9

• Led to practical applications in understanding and treatment of PTSD.
• PTSD victims have hyper active amygdala, activating flight or fight response more often.
• Greater understanding led to effective treatments for PTSD (psychotherapies, mindfulness interventions) tries to decrease activity in amygdala.
• Adds appropriateness