Fight-or-Flight Response

Definition

The fight-or-flight response is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival. It is a survival mechanism that prepares the body to either fight the threat or flee from it.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The fight-or-flight response is an automatic, unconscious reaction to a perceived threat or danger, preparing the body to either confront the threat (fight) or flee from it (flight).
2. This response is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, which activates the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol from the adrenal glands.
3. Physiological changes during the fight-or-flight response include increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate, as well as the diversion of blood flow away from the digestive system and towards the muscles.
4. The amygdala, a part of the brain responsible for processing emotional responses, plays a key role in triggering the fight-or-flight response when it perceives a threat.
5. While the fight-or-flight response is an adaptive mechanism for dealing with immediate threats, chronic activation of this response can lead to negative health consequences, such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease and weakened immune function.

Review Questions

• Describe the role of the sympathetic nervous system in the fight-or-flight response.
  • The sympathetic nervous system is the key player in the fight-or-flight response. When the brain perceives a threat, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, triggering the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol from the adrenal glands. These hormones then cause a series of physiological changes, such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate, as well as the diversion of blood flow away from the digestive system and towards the muscles. This prepares the body to either confront the threat (fight) or flee from it (flight).
• Explain the role of the amygdala in the fight-or-flight response and how it relates to the reflective and reactive systems of the brain.
  • The amygdala, a part of the brain responsible for processing emotional responses, plays a crucial role in triggering the fight-or-flight response. When the amygdala perceives a threat, it activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the physiological changes associated with the fight-or-flight response. This represents the reactive system of the brain, which is an automatic, unconscious response to a perceived threat. In contrast, the reflective system of the brain involves higher-order cognitive processes, such as decision-making and problem-solving, which can modulate or override the reactive system's response to a threat.
• Discuss the potential negative consequences of chronic activation of the fight-or-flight response and how this relates to the brain's processing of information to make decisions.
  • While the fight-or-flight response is an adaptive mechanism for dealing with immediate threats, chronic activation of this response can lead to negative health consequences. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, weaken the immune system, and contribute to other health problems. This chronic activation of the reactive system of the brain can also interfere with the reflective system's ability to make rational, well-informed decisions, as the brain becomes increasingly focused on perceived threats rather than higher-order cognitive processes. This can lead to suboptimal decision-making and a reduced ability to effectively navigate complex situations.

Related terms

Sympathetic Nervous System: The part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight response, activating physiological changes that prepare the body for immediate action.

Adrenal Glands: The endocrine glands that release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol during the fight-or-flight response, triggering physiological changes.

Amygdala:

The part of the brain that processes emotional responses, including fear, and triggers the fight-or-flight response when a threat is perceived.