Lesson 5 - Fight or Flight

Question 1

The Sympathomedullary Pathway

Answer 1

The sympathetic nervous system is triggered by the hypothalamus
The hypothalamus also sends a signal to the adrenal medulla, which responds by releasing adrenaline into the bloodstreams

Question 2

Sympathomedullary Pathway
Adrenaline

Answer 2

Increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, increases rate of blood flow, raises blood pressure, diverts blood away from skin, kidneys and digestive system, increases blood supply to brain and skeletal muscles, and increases respiration and sweating
This prepares body for fight or flight by increasing blood supply => oxygen, to skeletal muscles for physical action and increasing oxygen to brain for rapid response planning

Question 3

The Parasympthathetic Nervous System

Answer 3

When the threat has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system dampens down the stress response
Slows down the heartbeat and reduces blood pressure
Digestion also restarts

Question 4

Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Diagram

Answer 4

Question 5

Fight or Flight Evaluation Points

Answer 5

Evolutionary Psychology
Studies
Gray (1988) - Freeze
Taylor (2000) - Females
Von Dawans (2012) - Males

Question 6

Fight or Flight Evaluation
Evolutionary Psychology
Positive

Answer 6

Fight or flight response makes sense from an evolutionary psychology viewpoint
It would have helped an individual to survive by fighting or fleeing a threat

Question 7

Fight or Flight Evaluation
Studies
Positive

Answer 7

Studies support the claim that adrenaline is essential in preparing the body for stress
People who have malfunctioning adrenal gland do not have a normal fight or flight response to stress

Question 8

Fight or Flight Evaluation
Gray (1988) - Freeze
Negative

Answer 8

Gray (1988) states the first reaction to stress is to freeze, not fight or flight
Involves the person stopping, looking and listening and being hyper vigilant to danger

Question 9

Fight or Flight Evaluation
Taylor (2000) - Females
Negative

Answer 9

Found females tend and befriend in times of stress
Tend and befriend refers to protection of offspring (tend) and seeking out social groups for mutual defence (befriend)
Women have the hormone oxytocin, which means they are more likely to stay and protect their offspring

Question 10

Fight or Flight Evaluation
Van Dawans (2012) - Males

Answer 10

Found males also tend and befriend
E.g. during 11th September 2001 terrorist attack, both males and females showed tend and befriend as they tried to contact loved ones and help one another