What is the 'fight or flight' response?

The 'fight or flight' response is fundamentally a physiological reaction to perceived threats. This concept, developed by psychologist Walter Cannon, describes the body's automatic and instinctive response to stress or danger. When faced with a threat, the body prepares itself to either confront the situation (fight) or evade it (flight), triggering a series of physiological changes. These changes include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, dilation of pupils, and the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. This response is critical for survival, as it enhances an individual’s ability to react quickly in dangerous situations.

Understanding this physiological basis helps clarify why the other options do not align with the definition of the 'fight or flight' response. Social interaction, cognitive behavioral models, and psychological therapy all pertain to psychological processes and interventions rather than the instinctive physiological reactions associated with the threat response.