How the study of digital footprints can supplement research in behavioral genetics and molecular psychology

Abstract

Studies that apply digital phenotyping and mobile sensing strategies have increased in recent years enabling a better understanding of psychiatric and psychological conditions, as well as neurodegenerative disorders. Although in this context the study of so-called “digital biomarkers” is proliferating, few studies have actually linked digital footprints to biological variables (and when done, the primary focus lay on brain imaging data). It is well established that many psychological phenotypes such as personality, but also psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, have a genetic basis – to a different heritability extent. Therefore, in the present opinion article we argue that it is of tremendous importance to also link the field of neurogenetics to the study of digital footprints, as the latter gives myriad insights into human life and in an objective way. The large field of behavioral genetics including the discipline of molecular psychology could profit greatly from focusing more on the actual study of behavior instead of solely relying on self-report data of study participants. In order to push this promising field forward, the present theoretical work presents three exemplary scenarios, highlighting where such a combination of digital and genetic data could be fruitful.