The Fight-or-Flight Response & Stress MCQs are critical to CSS candidates who need to know how the body responds to stress and threats. The fight-or-flight response is an involuntary physiological response induced by the sympathetic nervous system upon sensing danger. The response readies the body to either fight or flee a perceived danger by rising heart rate, diverting blood flow, and increasing alertness. Continuous activation of this system is known to contribute to stress-related disorders like hypertension, anxiety, and burnout. This CSS Psychology Quiz offers free flashcards and practice questions on the neurobiology of stress, hormonal control, and coping, allowing candidates to understand critical psychological and physiological principles.
Biological Mechanisms of the Fight-or-Flight Response
The body’s response to stress is controlled by the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). When danger is sensed, the amygdala alerts the hypothalamus, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, releasing adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones raise blood pressure, breathing, and glucose levels, supplying energy for action. When the danger has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system restores equilibrium. Knowledge of such biological processes is important in order to answer MCQs on stress response in CSS psychology exams.
Psychological Consequences of Chronic Stress
Chronic exposure to stress can have adverse effects on mental health, memory, and immune response. Hans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) outlines three phases of stress response: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Chronic stress may result in depression, anxiety, and cognitive deficits, impairing decision-making and emotional control. Coping mechanisms like mindfulness, exercise, and cognitive restructuring reduce the effects of stress. The Fight-or-Flight Response & Stress MCQs practiced via online free quizzes improves examination preparation by solidifying ideas concerning neuropsychology, stress, and physiological adaptation.
