The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology) Hardcover
Author: Visit Amazon's Stephen W. Porges Page - ISBN: 0393707008 - Language: English - Format: PDF, EPUB
DESCRIPTION
Review
“[C]hallenges professionals who interact therapeutically, educationally, clinically or even socially with vulnerable populations to share knowledge and work across our specific disciplines, to prevent, identify and treat mental illness.” (Journal of Unified Psychotherapy and Clinical Science)
“The Polyvagal Theory gives a thorough overview of Sephen Porges' research and theoretical contribution to science. . . . [A]n important foundational book. . . . Porges' contribution to this body of knowledge is considerable.” (Journal of Canadian Academic Child Adolescent Psychiatry)
“Stephen Porges has been at the forefront of the investigation of the interplay between neurophysiological processes and developmental status.... It is with The Polyvagal Theory that Porges now presents, in a well-delineated and articulated volume, a highly testable set of hypotheses regarding how the human (and more broadly, mammalian) nervous system has evolved to promote affective regulation and social interaction.... I commend Porges on this effort. Substantial research across a significant career has been well considered and integrated into a quite engaging and stimulating model regarding the relationship between the heart and the brain.” (PsycCritiques)
“[O]ne of the most important books written on the nervous system in the last fifty years. Porges’s ambitious, meticulous, synthetic theory provides a missing link between mind and the nervous system. It also helps explain, in fine detail, how our individual nervous systems influence, and are influenced by, our interactions with others. Suddenly we understand things novelists have described for centuries: how it is that a facial expression, a gesture, a certain tone of voice, can trigger a radical mental reorganization, and lead to engagment, and how our mental and nervous system states shift. Porges’s studies and his theory of the social vagus represents a major advance in human knowledge, and is already improving the practice psychotherapy and mind-body medicine.” (Norman Doidge, MD, author, The Brain That Changes Itself)
“A truly revolutionary perspective on human nature, Porges challenges current theory, illuminates old findings so that we see them differently, and raises dozens of questions for new scientific research. The reach is broad, the depth astounding.” (Paul Ekman, PhD, Professor Emeritus, University of California at San Francisco, and President & Founder, Paul Ekman Group, LLC)
“The Polyvagal Theory is at the leading edge of psychosomatic medicine and body-mind therapies. It is a vital contribution to scientifically-informed clinical practice. Psychologists, analysts, physicians, bodyworkers, and educators are provided with an essential map to help guide them in tracking the psychophysiological states of their clients, discern where they are ‘stuck,’ and help them to heal and move forward in life. Dr. Porges’s great contribution is now compiled in this one astounding comprehensive volume. It is a must-read for clinicians and psychobiological researchers.” (Peter A. Levine, PhD, author of In Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness)
“Soak in the wisdom of this fabulous book and you'll see the role of the body's response to our social interactions in a whole new light. The Polyvagal Theory is a profoundly important contribution to our understanding of how we connect with others through the regulation of our own basic physiological state....Read on and understand our brains, our minds, and our relationships in a rich and extremely helpful way!” (Daniel J. Siegel, MD, author of The Mindful Brain and The Mindful Therapist)
“The Polyvagal Theory gives a thorough overview of Sephen Porges' research and theoretical contribution to science. . . . [A]n important foundational book. . . . Porges' contribution to this body of knowledge is considerable.” (Journal of Canadian Academic Child Adolescent Psychiatry)
“Stephen Porges has been at the forefront of the investigation of the interplay between neurophysiological processes and developmental status.... It is with The Polyvagal Theory that Porges now presents, in a well-delineated and articulated volume, a highly testable set of hypotheses regarding how the human (and more broadly, mammalian) nervous system has evolved to promote affective regulation and social interaction.... I commend Porges on this effort. Substantial research across a significant career has been well considered and integrated into a quite engaging and stimulating model regarding the relationship between the heart and the brain.” (PsycCritiques)
“[O]ne of the most important books written on the nervous system in the last fifty years. Porges’s ambitious, meticulous, synthetic theory provides a missing link between mind and the nervous system. It also helps explain, in fine detail, how our individual nervous systems influence, and are influenced by, our interactions with others. Suddenly we understand things novelists have described for centuries: how it is that a facial expression, a gesture, a certain tone of voice, can trigger a radical mental reorganization, and lead to engagment, and how our mental and nervous system states shift. Porges’s studies and his theory of the social vagus represents a major advance in human knowledge, and is already improving the practice psychotherapy and mind-body medicine.” (Norman Doidge, MD, author, The Brain That Changes Itself)
“A truly revolutionary perspective on human nature, Porges challenges current theory, illuminates old findings so that we see them differently, and raises dozens of questions for new scientific research. The reach is broad, the depth astounding.” (Paul Ekman, PhD, Professor Emeritus, University of California at San Francisco, and President & Founder, Paul Ekman Group, LLC)
“The Polyvagal Theory is at the leading edge of psychosomatic medicine and body-mind therapies. It is a vital contribution to scientifically-informed clinical practice. Psychologists, analysts, physicians, bodyworkers, and educators are provided with an essential map to help guide them in tracking the psychophysiological states of their clients, discern where they are ‘stuck,’ and help them to heal and move forward in life. Dr. Porges’s great contribution is now compiled in this one astounding comprehensive volume. It is a must-read for clinicians and psychobiological researchers.” (Peter A. Levine, PhD, author of In Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness)
“Soak in the wisdom of this fabulous book and you'll see the role of the body's response to our social interactions in a whole new light. The Polyvagal Theory is a profoundly important contribution to our understanding of how we connect with others through the regulation of our own basic physiological state....Read on and understand our brains, our minds, and our relationships in a rich and extremely helpful way!” (Daniel J. Siegel, MD, author of The Mindful Brain and The Mindful Therapist)
About the Author
Stephen W. Porges, PhD, teaches at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is author of the 2011 Norton book The Polyvagal Theory.
DETAILS
- Series: Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology
- Hardcover: 272 pages
- Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (April 25, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0393707008
- ISBN-13: 978-0393707007
- Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #11 in Books > Textbooks > Medicine & Health Sciences > Medicine > Basic Sciences > Neuroscience
- #19 in Books > Textbooks > Social Sciences > Psychology > Neuropsychology
- #41 in Books > Medical Books > Medicine > Internal Medicine > Neurology > Neuroscience
REVIEWS
25 Reviews The Polyvagal Theory Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions Attachment Communication and Self regulation Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology The Polyvagal Theory Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions Attachment Communication and Self regulation Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology Hardcover Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology The Polyvagal Theory Neurophysiological Foundations of The Polyvagal Theory Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions Attachment Communication Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology The Polyvagal Theory Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions Attachment Communication and Self Regulation by Stephen Porges The Polyvagal Theory Neurophysiological Foundations Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology attachment communication and self regulation The Polyvagal Theory Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions Attachment Communication Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology The Polyvagal Theory Neurophysiological Foundations Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology attachment communication and self regulation Other titles in the Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology The Polyvagal Theory Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions Attachment Communication for ISBN 0393707008 The Polyvagal Theory Neurophysiological Foundations Of Emotions Attachment Communication And Self regulation Norton Series On
I am merely a psychology-degree wielding 24 year old with a natural curiosity for anything that influences behavior. This theory, developed by Steven Porges over 40 years of research, is one of the most comprehensive examinations of the influence of the vagus nerves on the physiological and psychological functioning of humans. The theory hinges on the idea that there are three components of the autonomic nervous system (ANS): the reptilian unmyelinated vagus branch, the sympathetic nervous system, and the myelinated neomammalian vagus branch. These branches, in order, correlate to different behavioral responses. The unmyelinated controls homeostatic functions as well as the "freeze" response. As such it develops first, in utero. The sympathetic nervous system, through the spinal cord, controls fight/flight responses by activating the pituitary-adrenal-hypothalamic axis. Finally, exclusive to mammals is the myelinated vagus which acts primarily to control the heart rate via connections to the sinoatrial node of the heart. These components of the ANS act in phylogenetic order, so the myelinated vagus inhibits functioning of the sympathetic nervous system, which inhibits the unmyelinated vagus.
The focal point of Porges' book is that the development of the myelinated vagus, originating in nuclei called the nucleus ambiguus, is crucial to inhibiting the fight/flight/freeze responses in response to environmental stimuli. The assessing of risk in the environment, which he calls neuroception, is regulated unconsciously and the myelinated vagus helps to resist primal behavioral responses. The strength of the myelinated vagus can be measured using respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), which is an indication of beat-to-beat heart rate variability.
PREVIEW
The Polyvagal Theory DOWNLOAD
