With respect to stress, which of the following best describes the fight-or-flight response?

• A. It is a long-term adaptation to chronic stressors.
• B. It is a physiological reaction that prepares the body to confront or escape a threat.
• C. It is a relaxation technique used to reduce anxiety.
• D. It is a cognitive process that involves problem-solving and decision-making.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of the fight-or-flight response. It is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival.
2. Step 2: Recognize that this response is immediate and automatic, involving activation of the sympathetic nervous system to prepare the body for quick action.
3. Step 3: Identify the key physiological changes during this response, such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and release of adrenaline, which help the body either confront (fight) or avoid (flight) the threat.
4. Step 4: Differentiate the fight-or-flight response from other stress-related concepts, such as long-term adaptations (which involve different processes) or cognitive strategies like problem-solving.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the fight-or-flight response is best described as a physiological reaction preparing the body to confront or escape a threat, rather than a relaxation technique or cognitive process.