Psych final notes
Biological response to flight or flight (stress)
o Dilation of pupils
o Increased RR
o Dilation of bronchioles
o Increased force of cardiac contraction which caused increased cardiac output, HR, and
BP
o Decreased gastric motility and secretions
o Increased sweating
Other responses include: sodium retention, more glucose, decreased libido, fluid retention
Coping mechanisms
o Writing, exercise, socializing, meditation, hobbies, self harm, substance use, over eating,
self isolation
Acetylcholine: Significant in the transmission
that occurs at the junctions of nerves and
muscles. Functions include sleep, arousal,
pain, perception, coordination of movement
and memory retention. May have some role
in disorders of motor behavior and memory
such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
diseases.
• Norepinephrine: Produces activity at the postsynaptic nerve
terminals in the ANS, resulting in fight or flight. Functions include
regulation of mood, cognition, perception, cardiovascular
functioning, and sleep. Implicated in mood disorders such as
depression and mania, anxiety states, and schizophrenia.
• Dopamine: Functions include regulation of movements and
coordination, emotions, voluntary decision-making ability.
Increased levels are associated with mania and schizophrenia.
• Serotonin: May play a role in sleep and arousal, libido, appetite,
mood, aggression, and pain perception. Implicated in certain
psychopathological conditions including anxiety states, mood
disorders, and schizophrenia.
Inhibitory Amino Acids: Includes gamma-aminobutyric
acid (GABA) and glycine. Prevents postsynaptic
Biological response to flight or flight (stress)
o Dilation of pupils
o Increased RR
o Dilation of bronchioles
o Increased force of cardiac contraction which caused increased cardiac output, HR, and
BP
o Decreased gastric motility and secretions
o Increased sweating
Other responses include: sodium retention, more glucose, decreased libido, fluid retention
Coping mechanisms
o Writing, exercise, socializing, meditation, hobbies, self harm, substance use, over eating,
self isolation
Acetylcholine: Significant in the transmission
that occurs at the junctions of nerves and
muscles. Functions include sleep, arousal,
pain, perception, coordination of movement
and memory retention. May have some role
in disorders of motor behavior and memory
such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
diseases.
• Norepinephrine: Produces activity at the postsynaptic nerve
terminals in the ANS, resulting in fight or flight. Functions include
regulation of mood, cognition, perception, cardiovascular
functioning, and sleep. Implicated in mood disorders such as
depression and mania, anxiety states, and schizophrenia.
• Dopamine: Functions include regulation of movements and
coordination, emotions, voluntary decision-making ability.
Increased levels are associated with mania and schizophrenia.
• Serotonin: May play a role in sleep and arousal, libido, appetite,
mood, aggression, and pain perception. Implicated in certain
psychopathological conditions including anxiety states, mood
disorders, and schizophrenia.
Inhibitory Amino Acids: Includes gamma-aminobutyric
acid (GABA) and glycine. Prevents postsynaptic
