Emotional Arousal - The Fight or Flight Reaction

What happens when we get emotionally aroused?

Well, there is a small tissue in the Limbic System (emotional command center) of our brain called the "Amygdala" which controls our reaction to fear and anger as well as other negative emotions. Our bodily reactions to fear and anger are almost identical.

When fear or anger emotion is aroused, a message from the brain goes through the sympathetic pathway to the adrenal gland, adrenalin (hormone) is secreted into the blood, and the blood carries it to the whole body.

Organs in the body begin to react in unusual ways, preparing the body for action. The heart beats faster, breathing becomes heavier, muscles become tense, pupils dilate, hair stand on end, blood rushes to the capillaries in the face, muscles in the face contract to distort facial expression, intestinal movements (digestion, etc) cease. This special way the body reacts is commonly termed the "fight or flight," reaction, which is controlled by the Amygdala.

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People & Blogs

[streetwisdombilly]

@RedTailedTuna

You are saying exactly what this clip is all about. :) Your (1) is FIGHT of fight or flight, your (2) (3) (4) and (5) are just variants of the Flight response. In the modern context where we are no longer living in the grasslands of Africa, Flight does not simply mean to run away, but includes any form of avoidance non-confrontational behaviour including submissiveness.

Actually I have another addition - there are 3 responses really - FIGHT, FLIGHT or FAINT.

[yourtheman45]

Just casually walks away

[Cereegolar]

Finnaly i found the meaning of it...dumb Wikipedia

[539forgotten]

@socint74 I don't even know what that means.

[socint74]

@539forgotten You're obviously a patronising waffler ducking my call for evidence

[539forgotten]

@socint74 My rudeness isn't a logical fallacy, nor is it deviating from topic.... So not really no it isn't.

The significance of the phrase "Here, I'll simplify it further for you" denotes that I am trying to make it simple to understand. Not explaining common logic such as the senses perceive while X part of the brain interprets. Simplicity and being brief was key.

What part of "your body is prepared for action in a split second before the thought 'snake!' arises" is an act of magic?

[socint74]

@539forgotten The "ad hominem" reference relates to your foul language and gratuitous insults. Neither the "body" nor a part of the" brain" perceives .. No doubt you have heard of eyes and ears?.The brain interprets perceptions, i.e. visions or sounds ,for significance.. The process of interpretation is a cognitive function and an interpretation of threat or promise precedes any physiological changes. That's surely fairly simple whilst your view is simplistic inferring an act of magic.

[539forgotten]

@socint74 How am I presenting logical fallacy or deviating from the subject matter (response to a threat)? If anything you are.

Here, I'll simplify it further for you. Before you consciously think "oh shit snake", your body has already perceived the threat in another part of the brain and initiated an adrenalin response in preparation to fight or run. How is that possibly ad hominem?

Want to be intelligent? Learn shit and think before you speak.

[socint74]

@539forgotten Cowardly 'ad hominem' responses -rather than sticking to the subject matter here -reflect your intellectual shortcomings.. Speaking of "shit" I take it you keep failing the "potty training" entrance exam for kindergarten because you're full of it .You sound like a kid crying over his burst balloon. Where is your evidence that the "body subconsciously perceives a threat" as distinct from a making a cognitive appraisal then a judgement that some possible threat exists.?.

[539forgotten]

@socint74 I have an education. Would you like me to go back to the start and do it all again just for your self satisfaction? It still wont change you trying to sound intelligent and failing at it. I suggest you re-read my first piece of advice.

Want to be intelligent? Learn shit and think before you speak.

[socint74]

@539forgotten Suggest you get yourself an education, thicko!