Psychology
Study Notes
Biopsychology: The ‘Fight or Flight’ Response Explained
- Level:
- A Level
- Board:
- AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas
Last updated 22 Mar 2021
When someone enters a potentially stressful situation, the amygdala (part of the limbic system) is activated. The amygdala responds to sensory input (what we see, hear, smell, etc.) and connects sensory input with emotions associated with the fight or flight response (e.g. fear and anger).
If the situation is deemed as stressful/dangerous, the amygdala sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus, which communicates with the body through the sympathetic nervous system. If the situation requires a short-term response the sympathomedullary pathway (SAM pathway) is activated, triggering the fight or flight response.

Following the fight or flight response, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated to return the body back to its ‘normal’ resting state. Consequently, the parasympathetic nervous system slows down our heart rate and breathing rate and reduces our blood pressure. Furthermore, any functions that were previously slowed down are started again (e.g. digestion).

-
AQA A-Level Psychology Core Topics Revision Flashcards
Printed Edition
Following the fight or flight response, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated to return the body back to its ‘normal’ resting state. Consequently, the parasympathetic nervous system slows down our heart rate and breathing rate and reduces our blood pressure. Furthermore, any functions that were previously slowed down are started again (e.g. digestion).
You might also like
AQA A-Level Psychology Catch Up 2021 - Biopsychology
30th December 2020
Example Answers for Biopsychology: A Level Psychology, Paper 2, June 2019 (AQA)
Exam Technique Advice
Model Answer for Question 1 Paper 2: AS Psychology, June 2016 (AQA)
Exam Technique Advice
Scientists Discover How Stress Causes Heart Attacks
17th January 2017
Stress: What Is It Good For? Absolutely Nothing!
17th January 2017
Q&A from AQA: Evaluation in Biopsychology
13th January 2017
Recommended

Exam support for 2022
Online Grade Booster Courses for A-Level Exams in May & June 2022
Exam technique, advance information support, live revision and more from the tutor2u subject specialist teams