The Emerging Field of Social and Behavioral Epigenetics

Abstract

Social and behavioral epigenetics is the study of psychosocial factors that impact biology through an epigenetic mechanism. Epigenetic modifications influence the activity of genes without altering the underlying DNA sequence. DNA methylation is one type of epigenetic modification that has been widely studied and found to associate with a broad range of psychosocial stressors. This essay reviews the landmark studies and current innovations. An evolutionary context for epigenetic changes induced by psychosocial stress, and the possible heritability of such changes, is also presented. The involvement of social and behavioral scientists in this emerging field is essential to ensure that the nuances of the psychosocial environment are well understood and accurately modeled.

Systemic racism can get under our skin and into our genes

“…Social and behavioral epigenetics is an emerging field in which the role of epigenetic variation in translating sociocultural factors into changes in gene expression is explored (Mulligan, 2018a). The basis of the field is that epigenetic modifications, like DNA methylation, may partially mediate the impact of sociocultural factors on an individual's health and well‐being through altered gene expression (Barcelona de Mendoza et al, 2018; Cao‐Lei et al, 2014; Dunn et al, 2019; Kuzawa & Sweet, 2009; Lehrner & Yehuda, 2018; Mulligan, 2018b; Weaver et al, 2004).…”