Table 1 Parallels between models of biological and behavioral immune systems.
From: An adaptive behavioral immune system: a model of population health behavior
Immune system | Level of functioning | Precision function | Variation function | Functional precision | Functional variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Biological immune system | The cell | The host-defense system | The human microbiome | The host-defense system prioritizes symbionts and organizes the removal of pathogens and parasites | Microbial variability/diversity in the microbiome |
Adaptive behavioral immune system | The “Self” (i.e. the individual human being) | Decisions | Habits | Decisions prioritize good habits and organize the removal of bad habits | Variability in one’s healthy habits (i.e. “healthy lifestyle”) |
