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.
Porges
Stephen W
SW
University of Illinois at Chicago, Brain Body Center, Department of Psychiatry (mc 912), 1601 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. sporges@uic.edu
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