Fight-or-Flight

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 confront or flee from a perceived attack, threat, or stressful situation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The fight-or-flight response is an automatic physiological reaction that is triggered by the perception of danger, whether the danger is real or imagined.
2. During the fight-or-flight response, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol to prepare the body for physical action.
3. The physical changes that occur 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 fight-or-flight response is an adaptive mechanism that evolved to help our ancestors survive in dangerous situations, but it can also be triggered by modern-day stressors that are not necessarily life-threatening.
5. Chronic activation of the fight-or-flight response can lead to negative health consequences, such as increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and anxiety disorders.

Review Questions

• Describe the physiological changes that occur during the fight-or-flight response and explain how these changes help the body prepare to confront or flee from a perceived threat.
  • During the fight-or-flight response, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. This triggers a series of physiological changes that help prepare the body for physical action. These changes include increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, as well as the diversion of blood flow away from the digestive system and towards the muscles. The body also experiences increased sweating, pupil dilation, and a heightened state of alertness. These changes are designed to enhance the body's ability to either confront or flee from a perceived threat, improving the chances of survival.
• Explain how the fight-or-flight response is an adaptive mechanism that evolved to help our ancestors survive in dangerous situations, and discuss how it can be triggered by modern-day stressors that are not necessarily life-threatening.
  • The fight-or-flight response is an adaptive mechanism that evolved to help our ancestors survive in dangerous situations, such as encountering a predator or facing a natural disaster. When the body perceives a threat, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, triggering a series of physiological changes that prepare the body for physical action. This response was crucial for our ancestors, as it allowed them to either confront the threat or flee to safety. However, in modern times, the fight-or-flight response can be triggered by a wide range of stressors that are not necessarily life-threatening, such as work deadlines, relationship conflicts, or financial worries. While this response may have been beneficial for our ancestors, the chronic activation of the fight-or-flight response in modern life can lead to negative health consequences, such as increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and anxiety disorders.
• Evaluate the potential long-term consequences of chronic activation of the fight-or-flight response and discuss strategies that individuals can use to manage stress and reduce the negative impacts of this physiological reaction.
  • Chronic activation of the fight-or-flight response can have significant long-term consequences for an individual's health and well-being. When the body is constantly in a state of high alert, the prolonged release of stress hormones like cortisol can lead to a variety of negative outcomes, including increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, weakened immune system, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. To manage stress and reduce the negative impacts of the fight-or-flight response, individuals can employ a range of strategies, such as practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy diet, and seeking social support. Additionally, identifying and addressing the root causes of stress, whether they are work-related, interpersonal, or environmental, can help individuals develop more effective coping mechanisms and prevent the chronic activation of the fight-or-flight response.

Related terms

Sympathetic Nervous System:

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for triggering the fight-or-flight response, preparing the body to confront or flee from a perceived threat.

Stress Response: The stress response is the physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival, which can trigger the fight-or-flight response.

Adrenaline: Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone and neurotransmitter that is released during the fight-or-flight response, helping to prepare the body to confront or flee from a perceived threat.