While 40 percent of premature deaths in the United States can be attributed to such dangerous behaviors as smoking, overeating, inactivity, and drug or alcohol use, medical education has generally failed to address how these behaviors are influenced by social forces. This new textbook from Dr. Donald A. Barr was designed in response to the growing recognition that physicians need to understand the biosocial sciences behind human behavior in order to be effective practitioners. Introduction to Biosocial Medicine explains the determinants of human behavior and the overwhelming impact of behavior on health. Drawing on both recent and historical research, the book combines the study of the biology of humans with the social and psychological aspects of human behavior. Dr. Barr, a sociologist as well as physician, illustrates how the biology of neurons, the intricacies of the human mind, and the power of broad social forces all influence individual perceptions and responses. Addressing the enormous potential of interventions from medical and public health professionals to alter these patterns of human behavior over time, Introduction to Biosocial Medicine brings necessary depth and perspective to medical training and education.
Preface1. Understanding Human BehaviorThe need to understand human behaviorWhat is behavior?Well-being and the consequences of behaviorThe impact of social inequality and social hierarchy on behaviorHow cultural context affects behaviorSocial group identity, status inequality, and behaviorMotivation as a key mediator of behaviorPersonality: Who we areNeural structure as a basis of behaviorCognition: How we think and what we knowHow social inequality and stressful childhood experiences impact cognition, behavior, and well- beingConnecting the causes of early adversity to well-being over the life course: Understanding the causal links and the interventions thathold the most promise2. Behavior and Well-BeingPhysical well-beingPhysical well-being beyond life expectancySocial well-beingSummary3. Inequality and Well-BeingRacial and ethnic inequality in health in association with educational inequalityHow does inequality in access to medical care affect health inequality?The differing impact of low education and low income on the health of minority groupsThe origins and meanings of the concepts of race and ethnicity in the United StatesThe changing demographics of the population in theUnited StatesThe disparate impact of inequality on Hispanics and blacksSummary4. Society, Culture, and BehaviorThe impact of culture: The Cultural CycleDiffering perspectives on the nature of social structureThe role of culture ininfluencing personality and behaviorOther contexts in which independence and interdependence Clash!Acculturation: When people move across cultural boundariesThe role of social networks in affecting behaviorSummary
""Each chapter in this book could be used as a stand-alone introductory reading for learners at any level of medical education, and the entire text would provide a solid introduction for medical students to the broader contextual issues of health and medical care... It is one thing to say that we in family medicine care for all patients with attention to their many and varied social contexts. It is an entirely different matter to teach and practice in a way that intentionally addresses biopsychosocial medicine. For those seeking a solid introduction to the breadth of scope that this entails, Introduction to Biosocial Medicine will be a valuable resource.""
