Gene-Environment Correlation

Abstract

Genetic and environmental effects are not independent sources of influence on behavior, but rather, genotype can influence an individual's exposure to certain environments, how that individual experiences the environment, and the degree of influence that certain environments exert. This phenomenon is called gene-environment correlation. Three types of gene-environment correlation are discussed: passive, evocative, and active. Examples of each type of gene-environment correlation, and support for these effects from the literature are presented.