Biological explanation 1 - Adrenaline and Acute Stress Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is the A01 content?
- The SAM pathway
- Fight or flight
- Effects on the heart
- What is the ANS?
The autonomic nervous system is ensures that are body has the correct supplies in order to deal with stress. It is located in the brain but connects to a range of areas to ensure they can deal with demands.
- What are the two branches of the ANS?
- The Sympathetic nervous system
- The Parasympathetic nervous system
- How does the Sympathetic Nervous System work?
The SNS perceives the stressor and the hypothalamus within the brain sends a message to the adrenal medulla, this perceives the message and releases adrenaline into the body. When adrenaline releases the body has a physical response. Fight or flight.
- How does the Parasympathetic Nervous System work?
The PSN works by reversing the effects of the PNS it calms the body down so it can revert back to normal function after the stressor.
- Outline the fight or flight response
The fight or flight response is triggered by the SAM pathway. The body releases adrenaline and noradrenaline in order to prepare it to deal with the stressor. These hormones are able to redirect blood flow to more vital areas of the body that are required in response to the stressor e.g., away from digestion and towards muscle.
- How does this link to evolution?
The fight or flight response evolved from our ancestors as an adaptive response to deal with threats. Our ancestors most likely had to deal with threats that required a physical response hence the arousal response. In modern day usually no physical response is required so our bodies are left in a constant state of arousal which can be harmful.
- How does the fight or flight response affect the heart?
The release of adrenaline can increase heart rate and cause the heart to work much harder. This could link to a range of cardiovascular problems such as artery blockage
- Key study for effect on heart?
Heidt et al studied ICU nursers who already presented with thickened arteries. When exposed to high levels of stress within the workplace the body produced more white blood cells, this caused inflammation and wounds in the arteries which led to clotting. This caused further blockage which could lead to heart attack.
What is the A03 content?
- Research support
- Gender differences
- Application
- Cause and effect
- Research support
- Leor et al found an increase in number of cardiovascular disease following an Earthquake ( highly stressful event) in California. Suggesting that after residents experienced high levels of stress their heart was affected.
- Gender difference
Research used to support this theory I surrounded around male animals. It was argued that this differs in females and their response is to tend and befriend. The hormone oxytocin in females is used in response to stress and causes them to nurture and share their issues with others.
- What did Zak et al find?
He found that oxytocin in females was increased when they had social connections that they commonly engaged in reducing stress levels and inhibiting the fight or flight response.
- Application
Had key applications such as the use of Beta Blockers to reduce the physical symptoms of stress caused by the SAM pathway.
- What did Neftel et al find?
He found that participants given a beta blocker had better performance, lower heart rates and less subjective to fear than a control group that did not receive BB.
- Cause and effect
Research must be treated with caution, it is not appropriate to determine direct cause and effect due to lack of longitudinal research and robust control of other variables. Only an association can be shown with heart disease not a true causation relationship.
Nature VS Nurture debate.
This theory is heavily on the nature debate, argues that our response to stress is predetermined and ignores environmental factors that may play a role such as sensitivity due to someones upbringing and environment.
Idiographic VS Nomothetic
This theory is heavily nomothetic as it tries to develop universal laws about our response to stress and doesn’t consider how everyone’s adrenaline response may be different. For example, someone may have different adrenaline response such as better stress management techniques.
