The Biopsychosocial Approach

Definition:
The biopsychosocial approach is a framework for understanding human behavior and mental processes by examining the interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.

Core Components:

Biological factors: Genetic predispositions, brain chemistry, hormone levels, and the physical structure of the nervous system.
Psychological (cognitive-emotional) factors: Thought patterns, emotional responses, personality traits, and learned behaviors.
Sociocultural factors: Cultural values, social expectations, peer influence, family systems, and environmental context.

Why it matters:
This approach emphasizes that no single factor fully explains human behavior. Instead, our actions, thoughts, and feelings emerge from a dynamic interaction among these three domains. It moves us away from reductionism (blaming one cause) and toward a more holistic understanding of human experience.