Fight or Flight

Question 1

The fight or flight response may apply to males more than females

Answer 1

when males are confronted by stressful situations a fight or flight response may commonly be triggered; females may be more likely to adopt a ‘tend and befriend’ response. ‘Tend’ refers to protective behaviours and ‘befriend’ refers to the formation of social alliances to cope with the stressor. Assuming females adopt a fight or flight response to threat would be an example of beta bias as gender differences in responses to threat are minimised

Question 2

The fight or flight response may have negative consequences

Answer 2

Despite helping early humans
to survive in dangerous situations, the fight or flight response may no longer be adaptive and actually have numerous disadvantages. Stressors present in modern life such as consistent workplace stress do not require the instant physical reaction afforded by the fight or flight response. As a consequence, continued physiological strain is placed on the body such as increased blood pressure, which can lead to the damage of blood vessels and eventually heart disease. This suggests that the fight or flight response may be an evolutionary hangover and actually detrimental to many modern humans as the way of living has changed

Question 3

Research into the fight or flight response is scientific

Answer 3

An advantage of research into the fight or flight response is the ability to scientifically investigate physical reactions. Experimental methods can be used which involve participants being presented with stimuli of varying degrees of threat under controlled conditions. The subsequent biological responses can be objectively monitored using equipment such an ECG which measures heart rate. Researchers
do not need to use self-report methods to assess a participant’s bodily response which is less
subject to bias. This suggests that the research into the fight or flight response has validity.