An Interview with Dr Stephen Porges on the Polyvagal Theory

Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Brain-Body Center in the Department of Psychiatry in the College of Medicine, University of Illinois in Chicago. He is former President of the Federation of Behavioral, Psychological and Social Sciences and the Society for Psychophysiological Research. Dr. Porges is a neuroscientist with particular interests in understanding the neurobiology of social behaviour.

His research focuses on how the autonomic nervous system relates to adaptive behaviour, state regulation, and social engagement strategies. His research crosses disciplines and he has published in such diverse disciplines as anesthesiology, critical care medicine, ergonomics, exercise physiology, gerontology, neurology, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatry, psychology, space medicine, and substance abuse.

In 1994 he proposed the Polyvagal Theory, a theory that links the evolution of the vertebrate autonomic nervous system to the emergence of social behaviour. The theory provides insights into the mechanisms mediating symptoms observed in several behavioural, psychiatric, and physical disorders. His research is leading to new protocols to assess clinical disorders and innovative interventions designed to stabilize behavioural and psychological states and to stimulate spontaneous social behaviour.