Social Context, Biology, and the Definition of Disorder

Abstract

In recent years, medical sociologists have increasingly paid attention to a variety of interactions between social and biological factors. These include how social stressors impact the functioning of physiological systems, how sociocultural contexts trigger genetic propensities or mitigate genetic defects, and how brains are attuned to social, cultural, and interactional factors. This paper focuses on how both sociocultural and biological forces influence what conditions are contextually appropriate responses or disorders. It also suggests that some of the most obdurate health problems result from mismatches between natural genes and current social circumstances rather than from genetic defects. Finally, it examines how social environments have profound impacts on how much harm disorders create. It shows how sociological insights can help establish valid criteria for illnesses and indicates the complexities involved in defining what genuine disorders are.

Morphine exposure during adolescence induces enduring social changes dependent on adolescent stage of exposure, sex, and social test.

“…Social context influences the type of social response (Horwitz, 2017; Lamblin et al, 2017; Stephens & Wallen, 2013). For example, Veenema et al showed that inhibiting vasopressin receptors had no effect on social interaction in a novel cage but social interaction in home cage was increased by inhibition of vasopressin receptors (Bredewold et al, 2014; Veenema et al, 2013).…”

Sociocultural Considerations in Juvenile Arthritis: A Review

“…The sociocultural perspective on health outcomes combines traditional medicine with psychology and sociology (Horwitz, 2017). The sociocultural perspective states that biology, disease states, and the social environment are inextricably related and that the interaction influences health outcomes (Horwitz, 2017).…”

“…The sociocultural perspective on health outcomes combines traditional medicine with psychology and sociology (Horwitz, 2017). The sociocultural perspective states that biology, disease states, and the social environment are inextricably related and that the interaction influences health outcomes (Horwitz, 2017). For the purpose of this paper, the sociocultural factors influencing health are defined as the social determinants of health, which fall into five categories: biology, individual behaviors, social environment, physical environment, and health services (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016).…”