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