Behavior Genetics Association

According to the association, its goals are "to promote scientific study of the interrelationship of genetic mechanisms and behavior, both human and animal; to encourage and aid the education and training of research workers in the field of behavior genetics; and to aid in the dissemination and interpretation to the general public of knowledge concerning the interrelationship of genetics and behavior, and its implications for health and human development and education." To further these goals, the society organizes an annual meeting and publishes the scientific journal Behavior Genetics. The annual meeting is held in a different location every year. == Membership ==

The society has three classes of members: Regular consisting of persons who teach or perform research related to behavioral genetics, Associate Members – students in good standing at a recognized college or university and retired members. Members receive a complimentary subscription to the society's journal as well as discounted registration rates for the association's annual meetings. == Governance ==

The society's business are conducted by a board of directors, called the executive committee. The board consists of 9 members: president, president-elect, past-president, secretary, treasurer, an information officer, and three members-at-large (representing the general members, associate members, and members from outside North America). Members of the executive committee serve three-year terms. To ensure continuity, one member-at-large is elected every year. Other notable presidents include Irving I. Gottesman (1976), John C. Loehlin (1980), Steven G. Vandenberg (1984), Sandra Scarr (1985), Robert Plomin (1989), Thomas J. Bouchard, Jr. (1993), Glayde Whitney (1994), Nick Martin (1996–1997), and Dorret Boomsma (2008). The association subsequently declared that "the Association has no official spokesman and that the presidential address does not represent official policy of the association". == Awards ==

The association gives several yearly awards for accomplishments in the field of behavioral genetics. The Dobzhansky Award, named after its first president, is given for lifetime accomplishments The Rowe similarly recognises the most outstanding student poster presentation. The awards committee for these awards consists of the past president together with the three members-at-large of the executive committee. This award is named after former president David Fulker (1983), who also was a previous editor-in-chief of the journal. The awards committee consists of the journal's editorial advisory board. ==See also==