Performance- Briann Skiba

The most fascinating aspect of this article was learning about Tonic immobility-freezing of behavior in dangerous situations. It was interesting seeing a shark go from normal to catatonic within seconds of being laid prone. The video states that this is due to the odd/ unnatural position the shark is placed in. It causes sensory overload and shuts down the sharks vision and equilibrium. The Scientist stated this was due to a sudden release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter. It was explicitly stated that tonic immobility is beneficial to animals and bad for humans because it prevents escape. This tonic immobility seems like a trauma response in humans. When faced with a dangerous event typically humans have a fight or flight response. However, in response to trauma many victims find themselves immobile, frozen in place. When someone is put into an odd position that is dangerous and causes sensory overload it is no wonder that victims freeze. Similar to that of the Shark. The conclusion I am trying to draw here is that the freeze response to a traumatic event is a natural response.