Affective Socialization Theory: A Unified Model of Behavior (Part 1: Neural Wiring & The Recursive System)

Affective Socialization Theory (AST) bridges neuroscience, psychology, and sociology to explain how our behaviors are learned, not chosen, and patterned by the structures of society. This learning happens through the AST Cycle, which shows how repeated emotional experiences in stable environments build our moods and, over time, our personality. With targeted, stable Socialization Exposure Doses (SED'), individuals can, in theory, rewire their brains to change mood, personality, and behavior. However, if the Material Strain Index (MAT) exceeds a critical threshold, a survival state takes over, making such rewiring impossible. This first paper in the series establishes the neurobiological foundations of AST, defines the primary individual and emergent context variables, and introduces the mathematical framework for the AST recursive loop.