Fight or flight response Flashcards
(19 cards)
what 2 areas of the brain are involved
amygdala and hypothalamus
what does the amygdala associate and then send to the hypothalamus
associates sensory signals with emotions associated with fight or flight e.g. fear/anger. sent a distress signal to the hypothalamus
what does the hypothalamus do
functions like a command centre in the brain communicating with the rest of the body and SNS
3 responses involved in acute (sudden) stressors
the SNS, adrenaline and the PSNS
how is the SNS involved in response to acute stressors
it begins to prepare the body for rapid fight or flight action. sends a signal through the adrenal medulla to release adrenaline into the bloodstream
how is adrenaline involved in response to acute stressors
causes HR to rise, blood directed to muscles/heart/vital organs and increased blood pressure. increased breathing rate to increase oxygen uptake. releases glucose and fats into the bloodstream to provide response with energy
how is the PSNS involved in response to acute stressors
dampens the stress response, decreases HR and blood pressure. restarts digestion
what happens if the body carries on perceiving something as a threat and what is this system called
2nd system is triggered - response to chronic (ongoing) stressors. as the initial adrenaline wears off the hypothalamus activates the HPA axis
what is involved in the HPA axis
hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands
what is H’s job in the HPA axis
releases a chemical messenger (corticotrophin) which is a releasing hormone (CRH) which goes into the bloodstream
what is P’s job in the HPA axis
CRH causes the pituitary gland to produce and released adrenocorticotrophin hormone. ACTH travels via bloodstream to the adrenal glands
what is A’s job in the HPA axis
ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to release stress-related hormones e.g. cortisol, responsible for several body effects important in fight or flight, some positive (quick energy burst, low pain sensitivity) some negative (impaired cognition, low immune response)
how is feedback involved in the fight/flight response
hypothalamus and pituitary glands have receptors that regulate cortisol levels. if these rise above normal, they initiate a reduction in CRH and ACTH levels. bringing cortisol back to normal
E-gender differences. who? suggests what about women? They suggest that women _ themselves and their young through _ behaviours (tend) and form _ alliances with other _ (befriend). They believe that due to women being _ _ for their infants, they have _ differently with regards to dealing with _. _ too _ when threatened with danger would put their offspring at _.
Taylor et al suggest women characterise a more tend and befriend pattern than fight or flight. They suggest that women protect themselves and their young through nurturing behaviours (tend) and form protective alliances with other mothers (befriend). They believe that due to women being primary caregivers for their infants, they have evolved differently with regards to dealing with stress. Fleeing too readily when threatened with danger would put their offspring at risk.
E-gender differences. what type of studies? show the release of what? inhibits what? as it aids _ and reduces _ decreasing stress of fight or flight
rat studies show the release of the hormone oxytocin inhibits flight as it aids relaxation and reduces fear decreasing stress of fight or flight
E-gender differences. who? what directs male development, promoting aggression resulting in f/f? due to the release of what? and through increased what? why doesn’t this apply to females?
Lee and Harley said the SRY gene found in male Y chromosomes directs male development, promoting aggression resulting in f/f due to the release of stress hormones e.g. adrenaline and through increase blood flow to f/f organs. famales don’t have the SRY gene which may prevent their response to stress
E-negative consequences. although physiological responses may be adaptive for stress that requires high energy, what is it not effective for? e.g.?
although physiological responses may be adaptive for stress that requires high energy, ), it is not effective in modern day life when a stress response is repeatedly activated. For example, increased blood pressure can lead to damage in blood vessels which then leads to heart disease, and too much cortisol suppresses the immune response and stops fighting infection. (we don’t need to go into such states in the modern day).
E-the response positively impacts our lives. who? found what leads to cooperativeness and friendliness in men as well as women? what can this explain? e.g.? why may this be?
Van Dawans et al found acute stressors lead to cooperativeness and friendliness in men as well as women. this can explain the human connection during time of crisis e.g. during the 9/11 attacks. this may be because humans are fundamentally social and have a protective nature
E-f/f doesn’t tell the whole story. who? argues what? before f/f most animals/humans display the ‘_ response’ /stop look and listen. an animal is what? so they do what?
Gray argues the first reaction to a threat is confrontation. before f/f most humans display the freeze response. animals are hyper-vigilant and alert to signs of danger. this focuses attention and makes them look for info to respond best to the threat
