Polyvagal Theory, developed by Stephen Porges, provides a neuroscience framework that explains many aspects of prisoner's dilemma in terms of the nervous system's safety-detection mechanisms.
The Three States of Polyvagal Theory and Prisoner's Dilemma
Ventral vagal (safe and social): Optimal state for connection, learning, and prisoner's dilemma management
Sympathetic mobilization (fight or flight): Anxiety-type prisoner's dilemma responses
Dorsal vagal shutdown (freeze/collapse): Depression and dissociation-type prisoner's dilemma
Neuroception and Prisoner's Dilemma
Neuroception — the body's unconscious safety-detection — can be dysregulated in prisoner's dilemma, causing false alarms (sensing danger when safe) that drive prisoner's dilemma responses.
Polyvagal-Informed Prisoner's Dilemma Treatment
Therapy that acknowledges the body's state — helping clients move into ventral vagal 'safe and social' — transforms prisoner's dilemma management.
Safe relationships, co-regulation, and body-based practices are particularly emphasized.