emergency theory


fight or flight re·sponse

a theory advanced by Walter B. Cannon, according to which animal and human organisms in situations requiring that they either fight or flee are provided with a check-and-drive mechanism that puts them in readiness to respond with undivided energy output; the mechanism is characterized by increased sympathetic nervous system activity, including increased catecholamine production with associated increases in blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, and skeletal muscle blood flow. Thus an internal reaction makes possible external behavior in response to danger.
See also: relaxation response. Compare: alarm reaction. Synonym(s): Cannon theory, emergency theory

e·mer·gen·cy the·o·ry

(ē-mĕr'jĕn-sē thē'ŏr-ē) A theory of the emotions, advanced by W.B. Cannon, that animal and human organisms respond to emergency situations by increased sympathetic nervous system activity including an increased catecholamine production with associated increases in blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, and skeletal muscle blood flow.

Cannon,

Walter B., U.S. physiologist, 1871-1945. Bernard-Cannon homeostasis - see under Bernard, ClaudeCannon law - reaction of excessive sensitivity to chemical neurotransmitters in tissue with deficiency of autonomic supply.Cannon point - the location in the midtransverse colon at which innervation by superior and inferior mesenteric plexuses overlap at the junction of the primitive midgut and hindgut. Synonym(s): Cannon ringCannon ring - Synonym(s): Cannon pointCannon syndrome - perspiration and palpitations due to increased secretion of adrenalin.Cannon theory - a theory of the emotions that animal and human organisms respond to emergency situations by increased sympathetic nervous system activity. Synonym(s): emergency theoryCannon-Bard theory - the view that the feeling aspect of emotion and the pattern of emotional behavior are controlled by the hypothalamus.