The use and abuse of environment in behavior-genetic research

The measurements and conceptualizations of environment by environmentally oriented behavioral scientists and behavior geneticists are contrasted. For the environmentalist, the measurement of environment involves direct observation are manipulation. The environment is conceptualized as multidimensional, dynamic and transactional in nature, as well as being mediated, in its effects, by the individual. In contrast, in behavioral-genetic studies the environment is either estimated but not measured or is only measured indirectly. The conceptualization of environment used by behavior geneticists is static and global. In spite of these differing conceptualizations and measurements, areas of common interest are observed, centering around the question of how genotype and environment transact to influence development. Specifically, commonalities and joint research strategies are proposed for the areas of gene-environment correlation/transactional model and gene-environment interaction/organismic specificity.