Inferring the direction of causation in cross-sectional twin data: theoretical and empirical considerations.

Abstract excerpt

A recent multivariate extension of the classical twin study in theory allows the inference of the direction of causation between correlated traits solely using cross-sectional data. In this paper we briefly review this model and assess its usefulness by applying it to a number of pairs of biological and psychological variables between which the nature of the causative relationship is already known. We conclude...

Topics

• Bias
• Causality
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Environment
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Models, Genetic
• Multivariate Analysis
• Phenotype
• Research Design
• Twin Studies as Topic