Abstract
Porges’s polyvagal perspective links vagal regulation to social engagement — safety cues calm the autonomic ladder before cognition can work.
Porges (2007). Biological Psychology, 74(2), 116–143. DOI
Key findings
- Vagal hierarchy — Autonomic state sorts into social engagement, fight-flight, shutdown — not one generic stress dial.
- Safety first — Neuroception of safety enables connection; threat bias pulls the system down the ladder.
Application
When connection fails under stress — check whether the body reads safe enough before asking for words. See Nervous system.