Biosocial theory

Biosocial theory is a way of understanding how our biology (our bodies and brains) and our social environment (the people and things around us) affect each other.

Imagine your body is like a car, and your social environment is like the road you drive on. Just like a car needs good fuel and regular maintenance to run properly, your body needs healthy food, exercise and rest to be healthy. And just like a car needs a clear and safe road to drive on, you need a stable and supportive social environment to feel safe and happy.

But sometimes things can go wrong. If you don't eat healthy food or get enough rest, your body can start to feel sick or tired. If your social environment is unstable or unsafe (for example, if you're being bullied), you can start to feel anxious or sad.

Biosocial theory helps us understand how these different factors can interact with each other. For example, scientists have found that children who grow up in poverty often have higher levels of stress hormones in their bodies. This is because living in poverty can be stressful and cause anxiety. So the biology of their bodies is affected by their social environment.

On the other hand, if you have a happy and supportive social environment with lots of friends and family who care about you, your body is likely to be healthier and you are more likely to feel happy and confident. This is an example of how your social environment can positively affect your biology.

So in summary, biosocial theory helps us understand how our physical and social worlds interact to shape our health and well-being. It's like looking at the whole picture of what makes us who we are.