A Living Record of the Polyvagal Controversy

Produced by Hearth Science, whose own proposed resolution is listed under Proposed Resolutions. Editorial standards

Last updated November 12, 2026 · v0.1

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The Record › Dispute 01

Dispute 01 · [Status: agreed by both]

[The disputed claim, in the wording both principals approve]

Example topic for layout only: whether respiratory sinus arrhythmia indexes cardiac vagal tone. [Not approved wording.]

Type of disagreement

[Evidence · definition · interpretation]

Evidence status

[Established · Testable · Framework]

Last revised

[Date] · v[—]

Positions

In alphabetical order by surname. Each in its author's own words, approved by its author.

Paul Grossman

[Dr. Grossman's statement of his position, in his own words. Pending.]

Sources: [linked entries] · Approved by Dr. Grossman: [date]

Stephen W. Porges

[Dr. Porges's statement of his position, in his own words. Pending.]

Sources: [linked entries] · Approved by Dr. Porges: [date]

Replies

Paul Grossman, replying to Stephen Porges

[Reply, in his own words. Pending.]

Stephen Porges, replying to Paul Grossman

[Reply, in his own words. Pending.]

What would settle it

The result that would change Dr. Grossman's view

[In his own words. Pending.]

The result that would change Dr. Porges's view

[In his own words. Pending.]

Testable claims

Predictions stated in advance

Grossman predicts Porges predicts Proposed test Status
[Pending] [Pending] [Pending] Proposed · Preregistered · Underway · Result

Claims from proposed resolutions that bear on this dispute appear here too, marked with their origin.

History

[Date] · v1 Claim wording approved by both principals. Positions published.

A principal's stated position changes only with his approval, or with a dated note explaining why.

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