Fight Or Flight

Question 1

What kind of survival mechanism is fight or flight

Answer 1

Evolutionary survival mechanism in response to a threat

Question 2

What does it prime the body and mind for

Answer 2

Primes body and mind for extreme action, fighting or escaping the threat

Question 3

What does the body return to once the threat has passed

Answer 3

Homeostasis

Question 4

Why is the Fight or Flight response not designed for modern world

Answer 4

Rarely in a life threatening situation in the modern world so it is maladaptive in most situations

Question 5

What is acute Stress

Answer 5

• common form of stress in response to immediate pressures
• can be exciting in small amounts and give focus and energy but exhausting if maintained
  (E.g. job interview)

Question 6

What is chronic stress

Answer 6

• long term stress in response to prolonged emotional pressure
• often in situations where individual feels unable to control
  (E.g. bills)

Question 7

What’s the amygdalas role in fight or flight

Answer 7

• ‘threat sensor’ if alerted it will activate sequence of events (Sam Pathway)

Question 8

What is the process of Fight or Flight response

Answer 8

1. Recognize threat -enter stress response
2. Hypothalamus activates sympathetic division of ANS and endocrine system via pituitary gland
3. Adrenal Gland above kidney important for both pathways - made of adrenal cortex/medulla
4. HPA axis/SAM Pathway

Question 9

What is the HPA axis?

Answer 9

Hypothalamus stimulates pituitary gland which releases ACTH which results in secretion of stress hormone (cortisol) from adrenal cortex

Question 10

What is the SAM Pathway

Answer 10

Hypothalamus activates sympathetic division of ANS which triggers adrenal medulla to release adrenaline and noradrenaline to facilitate fight or flight response

Question 11

What’s the role of adrenaline and noradrenaline?

Answer 11

• pupils dilate to increase awareness of visual information
• increased heart rate - blood to muscles to enable action and to brain to facilitate rapid response planning
• increased sweating to cool body
• breathing rate increases so more oxygen for muscles

Question 12

AO3 Limitation point

Answer 12

Gender differences in acute Stress response ignored showing a beta bias

Question 13

AO3 Limitation evidence

Answer 13

Taylor (2000) - females protect themselves and their young through nurturing behaviors (tending) and forming protective alliances with other women (befriend)