PsychologyAugust 12, 2026

biosocial

BY-oh-SOH-shul

Definition

Relating to the interaction between biological factors, such as temperament or genetics, and social or environmental factors.

Etymology

The word is a hybrid construction derived from the Greek 'bios' (life) and the Latin 'socialis' (of or relating to society), combining these roots to denote the integration of biological and social science perspectives.

In the news

In the context of BPD, the biosocial model explains how individuals with innate biological vulnerability develop emotional dysregulation due to an invalidating social environment. It is the central theory used to understand the disorder's development and clinical treatment.

Light My Fire in the Shadows: The High-Contrast Universe of BPD

Read the full article ↗

Psychology Today

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