Which perspective explains that social media, friends, family, and culture influence the development of disorders?

• A. Biological perspective
• B. Sociocultural perspective
• C. Psychodynamic perspective
• D. Cognitive perspective

Answer: (B)

Social factors shape mental health and the development of disorders. The sociocultural perspective argues that a person’s symptoms and how they unfold are influenced by the social environment—relationships with friends and family, cultural norms, and the broader media context. For example, social media can create pressures related to appearance or success, family dynamics can affect stress and coping, and cultural expectations can influence what distress looks like and whether someone seeks help. These elements interact to shape vulnerability, coping strategies, and the way disorders are expressed. In contrast, biological factors focus on genes and brain processes, psychodynamic on unconscious conflicts and early experiences, and cognitive on how thoughts and interpretations drive behavior. Thus, the idea that social networks, identity, and culture contribute to the development of disorders is best explained by the sociocultural perspective.