Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Stress responses are the physiological, behavioral, and psychological reactions that occur when an individual perceives a situation as challenging or threatening.
Related terms
Fight-or-flight response: This term refers to the immediate physiological reaction where our body prepares to either confront or escape from a perceived threat.
GAS is a three-stage model of how our bodies respond to stressors over time, including an initial alarm reaction, followed by resistance and eventually exhaustion if stress persists.
HPA axis: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a complex neuroendocrine system that regulates our body's response to stress by releasing hormones such as cortisol.