From an Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) perspective, all hierarchies that operate through domination dynamics are fundamentally the same. They impose the same relational structure: an imbalance of power where one party exerts control over others, often at the expense of connection, mutual care, and collective well-being. Whether it is a family, workplace, hospital, courtroom, corporation, or government, these environments replicate the same relational dynamic, built on exploitation, fear, and dehumanization.
Sacrificing the Many for the Benefit of the Few
In every case, the dominating figure imposes their will on others, stripping away their agency and reducing them to objects of use or barriers to be removed. The silent witness, whether it is a complicit parent, a colleague, or an institution, enables this behavior by prioritizing self-preservation or systemic preservation over accountability. At each level, the same basic dynamic unfolds: the needs and well-being of the many are sacrificed for the desires of the few who hold power.
Dysregulates Aggressors’ Nervous Systems
This dynamic not only harms those who are subjected to it but also those who perpetuate it. From an IPNB lens, humans are fundamentally social and relational beings. Behaviors that isolate, exploit, and harm others disrupt our inherent need for connection and regulation through relationships. The domination dynamic requires aggressors to suppress empathy and relational attunement, cultivating traits like aggression, entitlement, and a lack of compassion. This harms their own nervous systems and further reinforces disconnection and dysregulation, which are passed along through their interactions with others.
Harm in All Directions
What looks like distinct hierarchies—an abusive father, a predatory doctor, a corrupt CEO, or a power-hungry politician—is, in reality, the same relational sickness playing out in different environments and on different scales. These hierarchies perpetuate harm in all directions. They dehumanize those at the bottom, alienate those in the middle, and degrade those at the top, all while maintaining structures that prioritize domination over care and exploitation over mutual benefit. This pattern is not just damaging to individuals but also to the collective, as it erodes trust, undermines cooperation, and creates a culture of fear and isolation. It extends beyond human relationships to our treatment of the planet, as the same exploitative mindset drives environmental destruction for short-term gain. In every case, the system serves the interests of a few at the expense of everyone and everything else.The fact that these hierarchies are mirrored at every level shows how deeply embedded this dynamic is in our culture.
Our Well-Being is Interconnected
To shift away from this requires dismantling not just specific abusive structures but the entire relational foundation they are built upon. It means fostering environments that prioritize equity, mutual respect, and care, where power is shared rather than hoarded, and where every individual’s well-being is seen as interconnected with that of others and the planet. This transformation is vital, not just for survival, but for the creation of a culture that supports true health and thriving for all.
This post includes content generated by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. The AI-generated content has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and relevance.
