Author Question: A team of scientists have formulated a theory that characterizes female responses to stress as ... (Read 54 times)

dmcintosh · **on:** Jul 11, 2018

A team of scientists have formulated a theory that characterizes female responses to stress as tend-and-befriend rather than fight-or-flight. Describe the concept of tend-and-befriend and its suggested biological basis.

Question 2

No symptoms, no stress.. Explain why this is a myth as it relates to stress.

jliusyl · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 11, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Their research supports the premise that the female stress response has evolved selectively to simultaneously maximize the survival of self and offspring. Women respond to stress with brain chemicals that encourage them to tend and befriend other women. Thus, the tend-and-befriend pattern involves females' nurturing offspring under stressful circumstances, exhibiting behaviors that protect their offspring from harm (tending), and befriending (creating and joining social groups to exchange resources and provide protection). The scientists propose that these responses build on the biobehavioral attachmentcaregivin g processes that depend in part on oxytocin, estrogen, and other sex-linked hormones.

Answer to Question 2

Absence of symptoms does not mean the absence of stress. While symptoms are the warning signs that stress is at work in the body, stress can be taking its toll even before symptoms are apparent, especially if you are not tuned into the messages your body is sending. Camouflaging symptoms with medications, other drugs, or alcohol may deprive you of the signals you need to begin reducing physiological and psychological stress.