Basic Corrections Officer: Certification Study Guide

What physiological response is NOT part of the Fight, Flight or Freeze response to a critical incident?

1. Increased heart rate

2. Muscle relaxation

3. Pupils dilate

4. Increased lung activity

The correct answer is: Muscle relaxation

Muscle relaxation is not part of the Fight, Flight or Freeze response, which is a physiological reaction to perceived threats. This response prepares the body to either confront or flee from danger, and it is characterized by increased heart rate, pupil dilation, and heightened lung activity. When faced with a threat, the body goes into a heightened state of alertness and readiness, which involves the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. In this context, increased heart rate ensures more blood is pumped to vital organs and muscles, facilitating quick reactions. Pupil dilation allows for better vision, aiding in the detection of threats, while increased lung activity ensures that more oxygen is available to the body, further supporting its readiness to respond. In contrast, muscle relaxation would not adequately prepare the body for immediate action in a critical situation, thereby contradicting the essential nature of this stress response.