Example Answer for Question 2 Paper 2: AS Psychology, June 2017 (AQA)

Section A - Approaches in Psychology

Question 2: Outline [3 Marks] - Fight or Flight

Suggested Answer: When someone enters a potentially stressful situation, the amygdala (part of the limbic system) is activated. 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 is activated, triggering the fight or flight response. This leads to the stimulation of the adrenal glands which secrete adrenaline into the blood stream leading to a series of physiological changes (e.g. increased heart rate) that helps the person either engage in a fight or run (flight). 

Please Note: These answers have been produced without the knowledge of the mark scheme and merely reflect my attempt at producing a model answer on the day of the exam. These answers are not endorsed or approved by AQA.