The field of behavior genetics is increasingly moving beyond the identification of genetic and environmental associations towards understanding the causal mechanisms underlying individual differences in behavior, health, and development. However, establishing causality is particularly challenging for behavioral phenotypes, which are shaped by complex and dynamic interplay between genetic, environmental, social, and developmental factors. Gene–environment correlation, gene–environment interaction, assortative mating, reciprocal causation, and substantial confounding can make it difficult to distinguish causal relationships from associations.
We invite submissions for a special issue of Behavior Genetics focusing on the development and application of causal methods in behavior genetics research.
We welcome original research, methodological advances, and substantive applications using approaches such as Mendelian randomization, target trial emulation, cross-lagged twin models, family-based approaches to causal inference, co-twin control designs, within-family and within-sibship methods, natural experiments, regression discontinuity designs, and other emerging approaches to addressing causal questions.
Empirical research articles, tutorials and methodological papers are welcome. Authors must follow Behavior Genetics publishing guidelines.
Submission Process: Researchers interested in submitting an article for the special issue will first submit a brief (maximum 300 words) abstract that includes the following information:
- Tentative title and description of proposed paper
- Justification of how the paper fits with the special issue’s aim and scope
- List of authors, including each author’s contact information and affiliations
Abstracts should be submitted by January 31, 2027 to David Evans (d.evans1@uq.edu.au) and S. Mason Garrison (garrisonm@wfu.edu). Guest editors will review abstracts and invite authors of selected abstracts to submit full manuscripts. Please note that all invited manuscripts will undergo a formal peer review process; invitation to submit a full manuscript does not guarantee publication in the special issue.
Important Dates:
- January 31, 2027: Deadline for statements of interest (max 300 words)
- February 2027: Invitations for full manuscript submissions sent out
- August 1, 2027: Full manuscript draft submission deadline
Please contact David Evans (d.evans1@uq.edu.au) and S. Mason Garrison (garrissm@wfu.edu) with any questions.
Link to the full announcement: https://link.springer.com/collections/aebbfbdjhh