Social engagement and attachment: a phylogenetic perspective.
This article focuses on the importance of social engagement and the behavioral and neurophysiological mechanisms that allow individuals to reduce psychological and physical distance. A model of social engagement derived from the Polyvagal Theory is presented. The model emphasizes phylogeny as an organizing principle and includes the following points: (1) there are well-defined neural circuits to support social engagement behaviors and the defensive strategies of fight, flight, and freeze; (2) these neural circuits form a phylogenetically organized hierarchy; (3) without being dependent on conscious awareness, the nervous system evaluates risk in the environment and regulates the expression of adaptive behavior to match the neuroception of a safe, dangerous, or life-threatening environment; (4) social engagement behaviors and the benefits of the physiological states associated with social support require a neuroception of safety; (5) social behaviors associated with nursing, reproduction, and the formation of strong pair bonds require immobilization without fear; and (6) immobilization without fear is mediated by a co-opting of the neural circuit regulating defensive freezing behaviors through the involvement of oxytocin, a neuropeptide in mammals involved in the formation of social bonds. The model provides a phylogenetic interpretation of the neural mechanisms mediating the behavioral and physiological features associated with stress and several psychiatric disorders.
University of Illinois at Chicago, Brain Body Center, Department of Psychiatry (mc 912), 1601 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. sporges@uic.edu
Stephen W
SW
Porges
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D001364:Awareness / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004777:Environment; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D009769:Object Attachment; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000502:physiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012919:Social Behavior; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*
D010121:Oxytocin