concepts
evolutionary psychology
Definition In 1929, Walter Cannon proposed ways in which the human body and nervous system, and those of other species, evolved to cope with immediate threats to their well-being and safety. These threats elicit strong emotions and prepare the body (e.g., increase in blood pressure, release of sugar for use by muscles) for a vigorous and immediate behavioral response to the threat—that is, either fighting or fleeing. [Source: Encyclopedia of Social Psychology; Fight-Or-Flight Response]
fight-or-flight response
tend-and-befriend response