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Comment
. 2023 Sep 11:46:e191.
doi: 10.1017/S0140525X22002175.

Genetics can inform causation, but the concepts and language we use matters

Sara A Hart  1   2 , Christopher Schatschneider  1   2
Affiliations
Comment

Genetics can inform causation, but the concepts and language we use matters

Sara A Hart et al. Behav Brain Sci. .

Abstract

Madole & Harden describe how genetics can be used in a causal framework. We agree with many of their opinions but argue that comparing within-family designs to experiments is unnecessary and that the proposed influence of genetics on behavior can be better described as inus conditions.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement

No conflicts to report.

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References

    1. Hart SA, Taylor J, & Schatschneider C (2013). There is a world outside of experimental designs: Using twins to explore causation. Assessment for Effective Intervention, 38(2), 117–126. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Mackie JL (1974). The Cement of the Universe: A Study of Causation. Oxford University Press.
    1. Shadish WR, Cook TD, & Campbell DT (2002). Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Generalized Causal Inference. Houghton Mifflin Company.
    1. van Dijk W, Norris CU, & Hart SA (in press). Using twins to assess what might have been: The cotwin control design. Research on Social Work Practice.