Regulatory state determines functional capacity — perception, affect, cognition, and behavioral repertoire are constrained by autonomic positioning on the gradient.
The Four Regulatory States
Not personality types — nervous system positions that shift in response to perceived threat. Each state has a pattern designation (A, B, C, D) used in clinical and research contexts.
Social engagement system online. Autonomic flexibility enabling rapid, proportionate response to environmental signals.
Mobilization or immobilization in response to perceived threat. Fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses activated.
Safety sought through environmental and relational control rather than connection. Strategic cognitive organization overrides emotional-somatic signals.
Safety exclusively through power, dominance, and control of others. Empathy offline or weaponized. Dominance circuitry active.
Return capacity predicts relational outcomes
The key variable that predicts relational outcomes is not current state, but capacity to return to Connection when challenged. Someone in Protection who can move back is fundamentally different from someone who escalates toward Control.
Explore the Full Framework
The interactive tools on teg-blue.com include detailed pattern diagrams, five structural axes per mode, assessment tools, and intervention principles.
Two-Layer Architecture
Layer 1 — You are here
Four-Mode Gradient
Observable measurement. Where am I? Where are they?
Layer 2
12 Frameworks →
Explanatory architecture. Why do modes exist? How do patterns scale?