Freezing behavior

For paralysis in the context of sexual violence in humans (sometimes called 'freezing'), see Rape paralysis.

Freezing behavior, also called the freeze response or being petrified, is a reaction to specific stimuli, most commonly observed in prey animals, including humans.[1][2] When a prey animal has been caught and completely overcome by the predator, it may respond by "freezing up/petrification" or in other words by uncontrollably becoming rigid or limp. Studies typically assess a conditioned freezing behavior response to stimuli that typically or innately do not cause fear, such as a tone or shock. Freezing behavior is most easily characterized by changes in blood pressure and lengths of time in crouching position, but it also is known to cause changes such as shortness of breath, increased heart rate, sweating, or choking sensation.[3] However, since it is difficult to measure these sympathetic responses to fear stimuli, studies are typically confined to simple crouching times. A response to stimuli typically is said to be a "fight or flight", but is more completely described as "fight, flight, or freeze". In addition, freezing is observed to occur before or after a fight or flight response.

  1. ^ Schmidt, Norman B.; Richey, J. Anthony; Zvolensky, Michael J.; Maner, Jon K. (September 2008). "Exploring human freeze responses to a threat stressor". Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 39 (3): 292–304. doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2007.08.002. PMC 2489204. PMID 17880916.
  2. ^ Suarez, Susan D.; Gallup, Gordon G. (July 1979). "Tonic Immobility as a Response to Rape in Humans a Theoretical Note". The Psychological Record. 29 (3): 315–320. doi:10.1007/bf03394619.
  3. ^ Ressler, K., Emory University Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (18 Nov 2009). "Lecture". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)