ABSTRACT
The process axis examines what happens to people affected by severe circumstances. It may be seen that although each component encompasses aspects of all prior ones, the components are part of a complex interacting system, with each component affecting all others. The immune system also responds very sensitively to stressors. The presence of depression has especially been associated with suppression of parts of the immune system such as natural killer cells. The dopamine system facilitates behaviors such as exploration, acetylcholine systems mediate cholinergic activity as well as learning and memory, and the endorphins possibly inhibit memory consolidation, as well as mimic morphine functions. In summary, sociology has contributed knowledge of specific social stress responses such as panic and rumors and has drawn attention to social system levels wider than individual and family. Skin and the immune system are biological defenses. The army is a social defense organization.
