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Social and Behavioral Epigenetics: Evolving Perspectives on Nature-Nurture Interplay, Plasticity, and Inheritance

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The Palgrave Handbook of Biology and Society

Abstract

Integration of advances in understanding of gene regulation through epigenetic mechanisms with the study of the influence of social environments on behavior has generated the evolving field of social and behavioral epigenetics. This field provides novel perspectives on how social adversity impacts biology and raises issues regarding the relationship between DNA and identity, multigenerational biological impacts of social environments, and intervention as a strategy to target epigenetic plasticity. In this chapter I highlight studies within the field of social and behavioral epigenetics, discuss the changing scientific and societal views contributed to by these studies, and speculate regarding the future implications of this field of study for our evolving understanding of the gene, individuals, and society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA

    Frances A. Champagne

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  1. Frances A. Champagne
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  1. Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    Maurizio Meloni

  2. School of Management, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK

    John Cromby

  3. Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK

    Des Fitzgerald

  4. Department of Anthropology, Laval University, Québec, Canada

    Stephanie Lloyd

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Champagne, F.A. (2018). Social and Behavioral Epigenetics: Evolving Perspectives on Nature-Nurture Interplay, Plasticity, and Inheritance. In: Meloni, M., Cromby, J., Fitzgerald, D., Lloyd, S. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Biology and Society. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52879-7_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52879-7_10

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