Online Articles
- The Gene Illusion (Mad in America website)
- The Gene Illusion in Behavioral Research (Jay Joseph on Blogger)
Recent Books
Schizophrenia and Genetics: The End of An Illusion (2023, 1st English Edition)
Available from Routledge, Amazon U.S., and Amazon U.K.

The Trouble with Twin Studies: A Reassessment of Twin Research in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (2015)

All Publications
Joseph, J., (2023), Schizophrenia and Genetics: The End of An Illusion (1st English Edition), London: Routledge.
Joseph, J., (2022), A Blueprint for Genetic Determinism [Review of the book Blueprint: How DNA Makes Us Who We Are, by Robert Plomin], American Journal of Psychology (Winter, 2022 edition, to be published in February, 2023).
Joseph, J., (2022, December 12th), The Schizophrenia Genetics Illusion—A Century of Failure and Hype [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion”].
Joseph, J., (2022), A Reevaluation of the 1990 “Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart” IQ Study, Human Development, 66, 48-65. DOI:10.1159/000521922
Joseph, J., (2022), Are DSM Psychiatric Disorders “Heritable”?, in E. Maisel and C. Ruby (Eds.), Critiquing the Psychiatric Model, Cambridge, Ethics International Press.
Joseph, J. (2021). Esquizofrenia y Genética: El Final de una Ilusión. Barcelona: Herder.
Joseph, J., (2021, February 9th), Left-Wing Behavioral Genetics? A Closer Look at the Genetic Evidence in “The Cult of Smart”, [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion”].
Joseph, J., (2020, August 9th), It’s Time to Radically Reevaluate “Reared-Apart” (Separated) Twin Studies, [Web log post at Blogger “The Gene Illusion in Behavioral Research”].
Joseph, J., (2020, June 21st), It’s Time to Abandon the “Classical Twin Method” in Behavioral Research, [Web log post, Blogger “The Gene Illusion in Behavioral Research”].
Joseph, J., (2020, May 29th), Three Recent Genetics Books and Twin Studies’ Indefensible “Equal Environment Assumption,” [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion”].
Joseph, J., (2020, April 21st), Levels of Identity Confusion and Attachment among Reared-Together MZ and DZ Twin Pairs, [Web log post, Blogger “The Gene Illusion in Behavioral Research”].
Joseph, J., (2020, April 4th), Do Wealthy People Have Better Genes Than the Rest of Us?, [Web log post, Blogger “The Gene Illusion in Behavioral Research”].
Joseph, J., (2020, April 4th), Schizophrenia Genetic Research: Still Running on Empty, [Web log post, Blogger “The Gene Illusion in Behavioral Research”].
Joseph, J., (2020, February 16th), Exploding the “Separated-at-Birth” Twin Study Myth [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion”].
Joseph, J., (2019, December 19th), Twin Studies and Ken Burns’ Upcoming Documentary on “The Gene: An Intimate History,” [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion”].
Joseph, J., (2019, September 3rd), A Blueprint for Genetic Determinism, [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion”].
Joseph, J., (2019, June 21st), “Three Identical Strangers” and the Nature-Nurture Debate, [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion”].
Joseph, J., (2018, December 18th), What Do Twin Studies Prove About Genetic Influences on Psychiatric Disorders? Absolutely Nothing, [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion”].
Joseph, J., (2018, November 6th), Bad-Science Warning: The “Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart” (MISTRA), [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion].
Joseph, J., (2018), Twenty-Two Invalidating Aspects of the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart (MISTRA) (FULL VERSION), published online November 6th.
Joseph, J., (2018), Twenty-Two Invalidating Aspects of the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart (MISTRA) (ABRIDGED VERSION), published online November 6th
Joseph, J., (2018, April 4th), Leon J. Kamin (1927-2017): A Nemesis of Genetic Determinism and Scientific Racism, [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion”].
Joseph, J., (2017, November 3rd), Bias and Deception in Behavioral Research, [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion”].
Joseph, J. (2017, October 19th). Schizophrenia Genetic Research—Running on Empty. [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion”].
Joseph, J. (2016, November). “Bewitching Science” Revisited: Tales of Reunited Twins and the Genetics of Behavior. November, 2016 revised PDF version.
Joseph, J. (2016, July 12). Schizophrenia Twin Research as Reported in The Gene: An Intimate History: Getting the Facts Straight. [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion in Psychiatry and Psychology”].
Joseph, J. (2016, June 27). Reared-Apart Twin Study Mythology: The Latest Contribution (Part 2). [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion in Psychiatry and Psychology”].
Joseph, J. (2016, June 2). Reared-Apart Twin Study Mythology: The Latest Contribution (Part 1). [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion in Psychiatry and Psychology”].
Joseph, J. (2016, May 24). Twin Method Assumptions are Indefensible, But are Useful to the Rich and Powerful. [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion in Psychiatry and Psychology”].
Joseph, J. (2016, March 21). Comments on Jeffrey Lieberman and Ogi Ogas’ Wall Street Journal Article on the Genetics of Psychiatric Disorders. [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion in Psychiatry and Psychology”].
Joseph, J. (2016, March 6). “Bewitching Science” Revisited: Tales of Reunited Twins and the Genetics of Behavior. [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion in Psychiatry and Psychology”].
Joseph, J. (2016, January 18). Schizophrenia and Genetics: A Closer Look at the Evidence. [Web log post, Mad in America “The Gene Illusion in Psychiatry and Psychology].
Joseph, J. (2015). The Trouble with Twin Studies: A Reassessment of Twin Research in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. New York: Routledge. (Tables 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 and discussion link HERE; Table 7.1 adaption HERE)
Joseph, J. (2015, November 2). Twin Studies are Still in Trouble: A Reply to Turkheimer. [Web log post, Mad in America, “The Gene Illusion in Psychiatry and Psychology”].
Joseph, J., Chaufan, C., Richardson, K., Shultziner, D., Fosse, R., James, O., Latham, J., & Read, J. (2015). The Twin Research Debate in American Criminology. Logos, 14 (Nos. 2-3). Published online 8/9/2015.
Fosse, R., Joseph, J., & Jones, M. (2015). Schizophrenia: A Critical View on Genetic Effects. Psychosis. Published online 9/14/2015. DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2015.1081269
Fosse R., Joseph J., & Richardson, K. (2015). A Critical Assessment of the Equal Environment Assumption of the Twin Method for Schizophrenia. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 6:62, 1-10. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00062
Joseph, J. (2014). Human Behavioral Genetics. In T. Teo (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Critical Psychology (pp. 151-156). New York: Springer.
Joseph, J. (2013). The Use of the Classical Twin Method in the Social and Behavioral Sciences: The Fallacy Continues. Journal of Mind and Behavior, 34, 1-39.
Joseph, J. (2013). Schizophrenia and Heredity: Why the Emperor (Still) Has No Genes. In J. Read & J. Dillon (Eds.), Models of Madness: Psychological, Social and Biological Approaches to Psychosis“>(2nd ed). (pp. 72-89). London: Routledge.
Chaufan, C., & Joseph, J. (2013). The Heritability of Common Disorders is “Missing”: Should Health Researchers Care? International Journal of Health Services, 43, 281-303.
Joseph, J. (2013). The Lost Study: A 1998 Adoption of Study of Personality That Found No Genetic Relationship Between Birthparents and Their 240 Adopted-Away Biological Offspring.In R. Lerner & J. Benson (Eds.), Advances in Child Development and Behavior, 45, 93-124. San Diego, CA: Elsevier.
Joseph, J., & Ratner, C. (2013). The Fruitless Search for Genes in Psychiatry and Psychology: Time to Re-Examine a Paradigm.In S. Krimsky & J. Gruber (Eds.), Genetic Explanations: Sense and Nonsense (pp. 94-106). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Joseph, J., & Wetzel, N. (2013). Ernst Rüdin: Hitler’s Racial Hygiene Mastermind. Journal of the History of Biology, 46, 1-30.
Joseph, J. (2013). Genetics and Mental Health. In M. Shally-Jensen, (Ed.), Mental Health Care Issues in America: An Encyclopedia (Vol. 1; pp. 300-307). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Joseph, J. (2012). The “Missing Heritability” of Psychiatric Disorders: Elusive Genes or Non-Existent Genes? Applied Developmental Science, 16, 65-83.
Joseph, J. (2011). A Human Genetics Parable. Journal of Mind and Behavior, 32, 209-221.
Joseph, J. (2011). The Crumbling Pillars of Behavioral Genetics. GeneWatch, 24 (6),4-7.
Joseph, J. (2010). The Genetics of Political Attitudes and Behavior: Claims and Refutations. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, 12, 200-217.
Joseph, J. (2010). Genetic Research in Psychiatry and Psychology: A Critical Overview. In K. Hood, C. Tucker Halpern, G. Greenberg, & R. Lerner (Eds.), Handbook of Developmental Science, Behavior, and Genetics (pp. 557-625). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Joseph, J. (2009). ADHD and Genetics: A Consensus Reconsidered. In J. Leo & S. Timimi (Eds.), Rethinking ADHD (pp. 58-91). London: Palgrave MacMillan.
Joseph, J. (2008, April 9th). Thomas Szasz: The Uncompromising Critic of Psychiatry. [Review of the book Coercion as Cure: A Critical History of Psychiatry]. PsycCRITIQUES, 53, Issue 15.
Joseph, J. (2007). Peter Breggin. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, 9, 152-154.
Joseph, J. (2006). The Missing Gene: Psychiatry, Heredity, and the Fruitless Search for Genes. New York: Algora. Chapter-By-Chapter Summary of The Missing Gene (PDF)
Joseph, J., & Leo, J. (2006). Genetic Relatedness and the Lifetime Risk for Being Diagnosed with Schizophrenia: Gottesman’s Figure 10 Reconsidered. Journal of Mind and Behavior, 27, 73-89.
Joseph, J. (2005). Comments About Frank Miele’s Article “The Revival of Human Nature [does not equal] the Denial of Human Nature” [Letter to the editor]. Skeptic, 11 (3), 24-26.
Joseph, J. (2005). The 1942 Euthanasia Debate in the American Journal of Psychiatry. History of Psychiatry, 16, 171-179.
Joseph, J. (2005). Research Paradigms of Psychiatric Genetics [Letter to the editor]. American Journal of Psychiatry, 162, 1985.
Joseph, J. (2004). Estar o Crime Nos Genes [Is crime in the genes]? In A. Fonseca (Ed.), Comportamento Anti-social e Crime da Infncia Idade Adulta [Antisocial Behavior and Crime from Infancy to Adulthood] (pp. 361-411). Coimbra, Portugal: Almedina.
Joseph, J. (2004). The Fruitless Search for Schizophrenia Genes. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, 6,167-181.
Joseph, J. (2004). The Gene Illusion: Genetic Research in Psychiatry and Psychology Under the Microscope. New York: Algora. (Revised Algora Edition). Chapter-By-Chapter Summary of The Gene Illusion (PDF)
Joseph, J. (2004). Genetics and I.Q. Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, 4, 94-105.
Joseph, J. (2004). Schizophrenia and Heredity: Why the Emperor Has No Genes. In J. Read, L. Mosher, & R. Bentall (Eds.), Models of Madness: Psychological, Social and Biological Approaches to Schizophrenia (pp. 67-83). Andover, UK: Taylor & Francis.
Joseph, J. (2004, January/February). Schizophrenia Illusion. Openmind, 125,13.
Joseph, J. (2003). The Gene Illusion: Genetic Research in Psychiatry and Psychology Under theMicroscope. Ross-on-Wye, UK: PCCS Books. (United Kingdom Edition). Chapter-By-Chapter Summary of The Gene Illusion (PDF)
Joseph, J. (2004). Genetics and I.Q. Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, 4, 94-105.
Joseph, J. (2004). More Mythmaking in Psychiatric Genetic Research [Letter to the editor]. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, 6, 231-232.
Joseph, J. (2004, January/February). Schizophrenia Illusion. Openmind, 125,13.
Joseph, J. (2003). Genetics and Antisocial Behavior. Ethical Human Sciences and Services, 5, 41-44.
Joseph, J. (2002). Adoption Study of ADHD [Letter to the Editor]. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 41, 1389-1391.
Joseph, J. (2002). Anti-intellectualism and Genetics. Psychological Reports, 91, 231-232.
Joseph, J. (2002). Mad In America by Robert Whitaker [Book review]. Ethical Human Sciences and Services, 4, 151-153.
Joseph, J. (2002). Twin Studies in Psychiatry and Psychology: Science or Pseudoscience? Psychiatric Quarterly, 73, 71-82.
Leo, J., & Joseph, J. (2002). Schizophrenia: Medical Students are Taught It’s All in the Genes, But Are They Hearing the Whole Story? Ethical Human Sciences and Services, 4, 17-30.
Joseph, J. ( 2001). The Danish-American Adoptees Family Studies of Kety and Associates: Do They Provide Evidence in Support of the Genetic Basis of Schizophrenia? Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs, 127, 241-278.
Joseph, J. (2001). Don Jackson’s A Critique of the Literature on the Genetics of Schizophrenia: A Reappraisal After 40 Years. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs,12, 27-57.
Joseph, J. (2001). Is Crime in the Genes? A Critical Review of Twin and Adoption Studies of Criminality and Antisocial Behavior. Journal of Mind and Behavior, 22, 179-218.
Joseph, J. (2001). Separated Twins and the Genetics of Personality Differences: A Critique. American Journal of Psychology, 114, 1-30.
Joseph, J. (2000). A Critique of the Spectrum Concept as Used in the Danish-American Schizophrenia Adoption Studies. Ethical Human Sciences and Services, 2, 135-160.
Joseph, J. (2000). Inaccuracy and Bias in Textbooks Reporting Psychiatric Research: The Case of the Schizophrenia Adoption Studies. Politics and the Life Sciences, 19, 89-99.
Joseph, J. (2000). Not in Their Genes: A Critical View of the Genetics of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Developmental Review, 20, 539-567.
Joseph, J. (2000). Potential Confounds in Psychiatric Genetic Research: The Case of Pellagra. New Ideas in Psychology, 18, 83-91.
Joseph, J. (2000). Problems in Psychiatric Genetic Research: A Reply to Faraone and Biederman. Developmental Review, 20, 582-593.
Joseph, J., & Baldwin, S. (2000). Four Editorial Proposals to Improve Social Sciences Research and Publication. International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, 13, 117-127.
Joseph, J. (1999). A Critique of the Finnish Adoptive Family Study of Schizophrenia. Journal of Mind and Behavior, 20, 133-154.
Joseph, J. (1999). The Genetic Theory of Schizophrenia: A Critical Overview. Ethical Human Sciences and Services, 1, 119-145.
Joseph, J. (1998). The Equal Environment Assumption of the Classical Twin Method: A Critical Analysis. Journal of Mind and Behavior, 19, 325-358.
Joseph, J. (1998). A Critical Analysis of the Genetic Theory of Schizophrenia. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, California School of Professional Psychology, Alameda.