I feel like statements like these do a disservice to the science behind them. The “fight of flight” is meant as a simplification of automatic behavior changes (

I feel like statements like these do a disservice to the science behind them. The “fight of flight” is meant as a simplification of automatic behavior changes (which might involve different chemistry in the brain which increases alertness; and in evolutionary terms are beneficial to your survival and procreation). But it is a gross oversimplification. There is little evidence that the systems involved are a direct fight or flight response system. They are certainly involved in fight or flight but that is not by any means the only time they activate. This article makes a passing mention of the term defensive response. I like that term a lot better as it catches things like potential embarrassment and failures as well.