Fight or Flight Response

Question 1

Outline the process of fight-or-flight response

Answer 1

1. Acute stressor
   Person feels the perceived demands of a situation are greater than their ability to cope
2. Amygdala (part of the limbic system) is activated. responds to sensory input and connects with emotions associated with the fight or flight response (e.g. fear and anger)
3. If the situation requires a short-term response the sympathomedullary pathway (SAM pathway) is activated, triggering the fight or flight response.
4. if the situation is deemed as stressful/dangerous, the amygdala sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus
5. Hypothalamus triggers the endocrine system’s HPA Axis. this triggers the pituitary gland to release ACTH, and the adrenal cortec releases cortisol
6. Hypothalamus directs the sympathetic branch of the automatic nervous system to send neurotransmitters to adrenal medula (in the adrenal gland)
7. Adrenaline & noradrenaline
   Released by adrenal medulla into the bloodstream
8. ‘Fight-or-flight’ response
   Triggers number of physiological reactions
   a. Activation of emergency functions
   Increased heart rate/blood pressure -> oxygen to muscles -> prepare for increased physical activity.
   b. Suppression of non-emergency functions
   E.g. digestion -> change in stomach activity, saliva production ->dry mouth

5.Parasympathetic branch
(of the automatic nervous system) returns the body to normal after threat has passed

Question 2

Sympathetic state

Answer 2

Activation of emergency functions, suppression of non-emergency functions

increased heart rate
increased breathing rate
dilates pupils
inhibits digestion
inhibits saliva production
contracts rectum

Question 3

Parasympathetic state

Answer 3

decreases heart rate
decreases breathing rate
constricts pupils
stimulates digestion
stimulates saliva production
relaxes rectum

return to homeostasis

Question 4

Why do we have a fight or flight response?

Answer 4

evolutionary survival mechanism in response to threats

pirmes the body for extreme action. fighting for our life, or escaping the threat

not designed for the modern world as it is maladaptive in most situations

Question 5

what is acute stress

Answer 5

Person feels the perceived demands of a situation are greater than their ability to cope

common form of stress in response to immediate pressures

can be exciting in small amounts and give you focus and energy, but exhausting if maintained

Question 6

chronic stress

Answer 6

long term form of stress in response to prolonged emotional pressure

occurs in situations the individual feels unable to control

constant distress/panic/anxiety, body is often in fight or flight response

can have detrimental effects on physical/psychological health

Question 7

fight or flight response

Answer 7

The fight or flight response is a biological/automatic reaction to stress or a perceived threat, involving both the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the endocrine system, which prepares the body to either confront (fight) or escape (flight) a threat.

Question 8

Fight or Flight Response:
strengths

Answer 8

P) Adaptive Evolutionary Function:
E) evolutionary survival mechanism, has helped humans survive throughout history by preparing the body to respond quickly to life-threatening situations.
E) In ancestral environments, quick reactions to danger (e.g., running from predators or fighting) were essential for survival.
L) fight or flight mechanism has an important evolutionary role in keeping us alive.

P) Clear Physiological Mechanisms:
E) The physiological changes (e.g., increased heart rate, rapid breathing) are well-documented and understood, showing the effectiveness of the body’s response to stress.
E) These responses help the body prepare for immediate physical action, supporting the idea that the fight or flight system is efficient in dangerous situations.
L) This reinforces the idea that the fight or flight response is an adaptive, functional reaction.

Question 9

Fight or Flight Response: limitations

Answer 9

P) Not Always Relevant Today:
E) The fight or flight response evolved to help humans deal with physical threats (like predators), but many modern stressors (e.g., work, exams) are psychological and not physically dangerous.
E) In today’s world, the physiological changes might be unnecessary and even counterproductive, leading to chronic stress or anxiety disorders.
L) The fight or flight response is less adaptive for modern living, potentially causing harm rather than helping.

P) Chronic Activation Leads to Health Problems:
E) Frequent activation of the fight or flight response due to constant stress can lead to long-term health problems.
E) Prolonged release of cortisol (stress hormone) and adrenaline can contribute to cardiovascular diseases, immune system suppression, and anxiety disorders.
L) This demonstrates that while the fight or flight response may be useful in the short term, its chronic activation can have harmful effects on physical and mental health.

P) Gender Bias (Fight or Flight and Gender Differences):
E) Research into the fight or flight response has been criticized for focusing mainly on male participants, and gender differences may affect how stress responses manifest.
E) Women may have a tend-and-befriend response, which involves nurturing others and seeking social support, rather than fight or flight.
L) This challenges the universality of the fight or flight model, suggesting that it might not apply equally to all genders.

P) Over-Simplification of Human Stress Responses:
E) The fight or flight response is often seen as an oversimplification of human stress responses, as it doesn’t account for more complex or varied ways humans react to stress.
E) Some individuals may freeze (immobility response) or withdraw rather than fight or flee, indicating that stress responses are more diverse.
L) This suggests that the fight or flight model may not fully capture the range of human reactions to stress.

Question 10

stress related illness

Answer 10

constant triggering of FoFR in chronic stress has long term effects on physical/mental health

shuts down immune system/digestive system, causes high blood pressure/anxiety

increase risk of heart disease, obesity, IBS

lower resistance to disease

depression

Question 11

role of the amygdala in FoF

Answer 11

When someone enters a potentially stressful situation, the amygdala (part of the limbic system) is activated.

The amygdala responds to sensory input (what we see, hear, smell, etc.) and connects sensory input with emotions associated with the fight or flight response (e.g. fear and anger).

If the situation is deemed as stressful/dangerous, the amygdala sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus, which communicates with the body through the sympathetic nervous system.

If the situation requires a short-term response the sympathomedullary pathway (SAM pathway) is activated, triggering the fight or flight response.