Polyvagal Theory Flashcards
What is the Polyvagal theory?
a theory that explains how the vagus nerve relates to human ability to connect and communicate with each other
What are the main regions of the vagus nerve?
ventral and dorsal side
Ventral vagus vs. dorsal vagus
ventral - social engagement
dorsal - freezing
What is the evolution of the ANS according to the polyvagal theory?
- Freeze response (parasympathetic)
- Mobilization (sympathetic)
- Social engagement (social nervous system)
Describe the freeze response of the polyvagal theory
the dorsal vagus motor nucleus has visceral motor (efferent) neural fibers that go to the (visceral) abdomen and thorax for DIGESTION
Describe the mobilization response of the polyvagal theory
the nucleus tractus solitarius has visceral sensory (afferent) neural fibers that come from the (visceral) abdomen and thorax for FIGHT AND FLIGHT
Describe the social engagement response of the polyvagal theory
the nucleus ambiguus has branchial (face) motor (efferent) neural fibers that go to the pharynx, larynx, esophagus and heart for SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
What is the social nervous system
A new adaptations in mammals only that explains how mammals use social cues / facial recognition to get out of situations
When do mammals use the social nervous system?
at birth with mothers and then later in life in social groups
What cranial nerves are associated with the social nervous system?
5, 7, 9, 10, and 11
What response of the polyvagal theory is known as the ventral vagal complex and why?
social engagement because the nucleus ambiguus (where the process starts) is found in the ventral half of the vagus nerve
What is Jackson’s theory of dissolution?
a theory that humans respond to threat/stress in the opposite order of the polyvagal theory
- we play our best/newest card first (social engagement) and the oldest last (freeze) until death
