ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Psychology => Topic started by: Oliver_123 on October 20, 2012, 01:04:49 pm

Title: GAS
Post by: Oliver_123 on October 20, 2012, 01:04:49 pm

Hi everyone

From lectures, text book and prac exams i have been encountering conflicting explanations about at what stage adrenalin and cortisol are actually released

Iv heard that cortisol  begins to be released only in resistance stage and other sources have said adrenalin and coristol are both released during counter shock

whats everyone else think, i tend to go with that HPA axis and flight flight are activated during counter shock and cortisol and adrenalin levels peak during resistance??

Thanks for the help

Title: Re: GAS
Post by: Scooby on October 20, 2012, 02:21:01 pm

Both are released during countershock, as that's when the fight-flight response is initiated.

I'd probably say that adrenaline and cortisol levels are higher during countershock than resistance, since physiological arousal is greater during countershock than resistance (even though resistance to the stressor is lower)

If you heard you were fired from your job, then you might immediately feel your heart and breathing rate increase (alarm reaction). Even though the stressor of not having a job might remain for a while (resistance), your level of physiological arousal probably isn't going to be as high (you're probably not going to be walking around 24/7 with dilated pupils and a pounding heart), so the levels of adrenaline and cortisol in your blood, even though they are still elevated, probably won't be as high

Title: Re: GAS
Post by: Felicity Wishes on October 20, 2012, 08:48:53 pm

From what I know, cortisol is released during resistance to repair damage.


My textbook says that & Scooby, do you have evidence to go with your statement? because my book could be wrong and my instinct and your study score hint that you might be right. (I don't mean to be attacking, sorry)

Title: Re: GAS
Post by: emilyhobbes on October 20, 2012, 10:29:51 pm

Lipton Wishes, which textbook do you have? I know that in Grivas it says that the sympathetic nervous system kicks in during countershock, activating the stress response which involves the release of cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline, and in the resistance stage, the physiological arousal lessens, so Scooby's answer sounds pretty good to me :D