The Fight or Flight Response
Description, AO1:
When do we experience the ‘fight or flight’ response?
Usually, the fight or flight response is something that individuals experience when they are stressed. Definition of Stress: “When an imbalance or discrepancy exists between perceived demands and perceived coping resources, then a state of stress exists.” Cox and Mackay (1978).
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:
Key physiological response observed during ‘fight or flight’
Exam Tip: Although students tend to dislike learning the stress response (because it contains some difficult concepts) it is essential that you know the above flow chart for the exam along with the body’s physiological response to stress. This is a common question in the exam so be prepared and be able to describe the stress response accurately and in detail.