fear response
a response to a threat in which the threatened organism attempts to guard vulnerable vital organs and to protect itself. In addition to these protective functions, the fear response is aimed at removing the person or animal from the threatening situation, by overt withdrawal, by coping behaviors (e.g., shutting the eyes to avoid seeing the fear stimulus), or by remaining motionless. Physiological responses vary depending on the situation and the proximity of the threat. See also fight-or-flight response; freezing behavior.