Alarm reaction is a term used in psychology and physiology to describe the body’s response to stress or danger. It is a natural response that helps us deal with threatening situations. The alarm reaction is the first stage of the general adaptation syndrome, which is a theory proposed by Hans Selye to explain how the body responds to stress.
Definitions
The alarm reaction is a physiological response to stress that prepares the body to either fight or flee. It is characterized by the release of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which increase heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. The body also releases glucose into the bloodstream, which provides energy for the muscles to respond to the threat.
Origin
The concept of the alarm reaction was first introduced by Hans Selye in the 1930s. Selye was a Hungarian-Canadian endocrinologist who conducted extensive research on the effects of stress on the body. He proposed the general adaptation syndrome as a way to explain how the body responds to stress over time.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to Merriam-Webster, the alarm reaction is “the physiological response to stress that prepares the body to fight or flee.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “the initial response of the body to stress, characterized by increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of stress hormones.”
Associations
The alarm reaction is associated with the fight or flight response, which is a survival mechanism that helps animals respond to threats in their environment. The response is triggered by the amygdala, a part of the brain that processes emotions and memories. The alarm reaction is also associated with the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s involuntary responses to stress.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for the alarm reaction include stress response, fight or flight response, and acute stress response.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for the alarm reaction, but some opposite concepts include relaxation, calmness, and tranquility.
The same root words
The root words of alarm reaction are “alarm” and “reaction.” Alarm refers to a warning or signal of danger, while reaction refers to a response to a stimulus.
Example Sentences
- The alarm reaction is a natural response to stress that helps us deal with threatening situations.
- When the body goes into alarm reaction, it releases stress hormones that prepare us to fight or flee.
- The fight or flight response is a key component of the alarm reaction.
- The alarm reaction is triggered by the amygdala, which processes emotions and memories.
- The alarm reaction is part of the general adaptation syndrome proposed by Hans Selye.