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Fight or Flight - Coggle Diagram
Fight or Flight
Response to chronic stressors
This is a response to ongoing stressors, for example, finical stress or exam week,.
The hypothalamus activates a stress response system called the HPA axis when faced with a chronic stressor.
H - hypothalamus:
The HPA axis releases a chemical messenger called the CRH. It is released into the bloodstream.
P - pituitary gland
CRH arrives at the pituitary gland. It causes the pituitary to produce and release ACTH. ACTH is transported to the bloodstream to the adrenal glands.
A - adrenal glands
ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release stress-related hormones including cortisol.
Cortisol is responsible for fight or flight response. It results in quick bursts in energy and lower sensitivity to pain however, it causes lowered immune system and imapried cognitive performance.
F - feedback
ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release stress-related hormones including cortisol.
Cortisol is responsible for fight or flight response. It results in quick bursts in energy and lower sensitivity to pain however, it causes lowered immune system and imapried cognitive performance.
When do we experience the ‘fight or flight’ response?
Fight or flight response happens when someone is faced with a stressful experience.
Definition of stress:
"When an imbalance or discrepancy exists between perceived demands and perceived coping resources, then a state if stress exists.
Cox and Mackay 1978
Evolved as a survival mechanism → react quickly to life-threatening situations.
Allow individuals to fight off threat or flee to safety.
Coordinated by the hypothalamus.
The Amygdala and hypothalamus
When an individual is faced with a threat, the amygdala is mobilised.
The amygdala is a part of the brain.
The amygdala associated sensory signals with emotions associated with fight or flight.
The amygdala then sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus.
The hypothalamus functions like a command centre in the brain. It thus, communicates with the rest of the body to act.
Response to acute stressors
Acute stressors are somethings that happen suddenly, such as, seeing a Tiger.
Sympathetic nervous system:
When the SNS is triggered it starts preparing the body for rapid fight or flight action.
The SNS sends a signal to the adrenal medulla.
The adrenal medulla releases adrenaline into the bloodstream.
Adrenaline:
Adrenaline in the bloodstream causes physiological changes.
Heart beat increases, blood pressure increases, breathing is more rapid in order to take in as much O2.
Triggers release of glucose and fats to supply an individual with energy associated with the fight or flight response.
Parasympathetic nervous system:
Post threat:
It is part of the ANS (AUTONOMIC NERBOUS SYSTEM)
Its job is to calm down the stress response.
Slows down heartbeat and reduces blood pressure.
How does the body respond to stress?
The stress response is important for survival in animals because the physiological changes associated with stress are essential in conditions of fight or flight (i.e. attacking or running away).
The stress response is therefore thought to be:
An innate, defensive and adaptive response that should promote survival.
Anything that prompts the body to respond in this biological way by becoming stressed is known as a ‘stressor’.
A bodily response which enables an animal to react quickly to potentially dangerous stimuli