title: Epigenetics and its implications for Psychology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epigenetics is changing the widely accepted linear conception of genome function by explaining how environmental and psychological factors regulate the activity of our genome without involving changes in the DNA sequence. Research has identified epigenetic mechanisms mediating between environmental and psychological factors that contribute to normal and abnormal behavioral development.
  
  
  METHODS
  the emerging field of epigenetics as related to psychology is reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the relationship between genes and behavior is reconsidered in terms of epigenetic mechanisms acting after birth and not only prenatally, as traditionally held. Behavioral epigenetics shows that our behavior could have long-term effects on the regulation of the genome function. In addition, epigenetic mechanisms would be related to psychopathology, as in the case of schizophrenia. In the latter case, it would be especially relevant to consider epigenetic factors such as life adversities (trauma, disorganized attachment, etc.) as related to its clinical manifestations, rather than genetic factors. Moreover, epigenetics implies overcoming classical dualist dichotomies such as nature-nurture, genotype-phenotype or pathogenesis-pathoplasty.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, it can be stated that behavior and environment will finally take on a leading role in human development through epigenetic mechanisms.
authors: Universidad de Oviedo, Spain. hgpardo@uniovi.es
authors: Héctor
authors: H
authors: González-Pardo
authors: Marino
authors: M
authors: Pérez Álvarez
mesh_terms: D001519:Behavior; D057890:Epigenomics; D005796:Genes; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics