Mat's Psychology Revision

FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE This response is generated from the ANS, in the sympathetic branch. It is a reflex response to help individuals react quicker. There are two types of stress response depending on the appraisal of the threat. Fight or Flight is activated for short-term stressors, different systems are activated for long-term or chronic stress. APPRAISAL OF STRESSOR The situation is appraised via sensory systems and stored memories. Hippocampus + Amygdala try to recognise emotional reactions to stimuli and access stored memories for potential danger  If the situation is deemed stressful, the hypothalamus is alerted. Hypothalamus controls the HPA axis (pituitary-adrenal system) for chronic stress and the SAM pathway for acute stress SAM PATHWAY Situation perceived as stressful due to emotions and memories Hypothalamus alerted and recognises stress as ACUTE SAM pathway activated (sympathetic branch of ANS) Adrenal Medulla stimulated (in adrenal gla...

DIVISIONS of NERVOUS SYSTEM THE CNS The Brain Monitors and regulates primitive bodily processes such as breathing, digestion, heartbeat Involved in higher order thinking such as planning and problem-solving w/ the pre-frontal cortex The Spine Relays info between the brain and body using neurones Connects from spinal nerves (which govern reflex actions) to muscles, effectors and glands Co-ordinates bodily movement, damage to this area affects mobility and speech THE PNS Somatic Nervous System Involved w/ involuntary movement of skeletal muscles, orchestrates via brain Has 12 Cranial nerves (on underside of brain) and 31 Spinal nerves Has both sensory and motor neurones Transmits and receives sensory info Autonomic Nervous System  Both sub-branches are usually in balance but under relaxed/stressed circumstances the balance shifts and one become more dominant in the "Flight or Fight" response. Sub-branches keep the body in a state of homoeost...