Chapter 1: Problem 4

What chemicals are relieved in the human body as a result of a stressful event? What are their effects on behavior?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The human body primarily releases adrenaline and cortisol in response to stress. Adrenaline prepares the body for a 'fight or flight' response, leading to behaviors like a sudden burst of energy or heightened awareness. Cortisol regulates non-emergency body functions and can cause behaviors such as anxiety, fear, and ruthlessness. Long-term exposure to these stress hormones can lead to several health problems, including mental disorders.

Step by step solution

Identify the involved chemicals

When a human body perceives stress, two primary chemicals are released: adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) and cortisol.

Effects of Adrenaline

Adrenaline is a hormone that prepares the body for a 'fight or flight' response. It results in increased heart rate, dilated pupils, and heightened alertness. Behaviorally, this might lead to a sudden burst of energy or heightened awareness.

Effects of Cortisol

Cortisol, often considered as the 'stress hormone', helps maintain fluid balance and blood pressure, while regulating body functions that aren't crucial in the face of a perceived threat, like reproductive drive, immunity, digestion and growth. On the behavioral level, increased cortisol levels can cause anxiety, fear, and ruthlessness.

Long-term impact

In the long term, repeated exposure to these chemicals due to chronic stress can contribute to problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other illnesses, including mental disorders like depression or anxiety.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Psychology Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

What chemicals are relieved in the human body as a result of a stressful event? What are their effects on behavior?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Identify the involved chemicals

Effects of Adrenaline

Effects of Cortisol

Long-term impact

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Psychology Textbooks

Sensation and Perception

Social Context of Behaviour

Personality in Psychology

Biological Bases of Behavior

Social Psychology

Emotion and Motivation

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.