Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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Nature Human Behaviour publishes research, reviews, analysis, comments, perspectives, research briefings and related content on human behaviour across a broad interdisciplinary readership.
Looking to publish in Nature Human Behaviour? Livewrite integrates seamlessly with Word to help you write, edit, and format faster.
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Subject
Neurosciences
Impact Factor
15.9
Quartile
Q1
Open Access Type
Hybrid
ISSN
2397-3374
eISSN
2397-3374
Invitation Only
No
Cost Range
Article Processing Charge (APC) applies for Open Access articles.
Submission Instructions
Nature Human Behaviour accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.
Article
Cover Letter
A cover letter must be included with the submission. Cover letter should explain the importance of the work, explain its suitability for a diverse readership, disclose any related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere, and state whether there were prior discussions with an editor about the work.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must be unreferenced and must not exceed 150 words. Abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript
Main text must not exceed 5,000 words excluding the abstract, Methods, references, and figure legends. Manuscript must be divided into Introduction, Results, Discussion, and Methods, with the Introduction presented without a heading, topical subheadings in Results and Methods, and no subheadings in Discussion.
References
References must be numerical. References must be numbered sequentially and include the titles of cited articles, with only one publication per reference.
Figures & Tables
Display items are limited to 8 figures and/or tables. Tables must be included at the end of the text document.
Registered Report
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required for Registered Report submissions, with Stage 1 specifically requiring a brief cover letter and Stage 2 requiring confirmations about archived materials and protocol registration. Stage 1 cover letters must include a brief scientific case, confirmation that necessary support is in place, confirmation that data collection will not start until acceptance in principle, an anticipated study timeline, agreement to share raw data/materials/code/laboratory log with any restrictions explained, agreement to register the approved protocol, and agreement to publication of a short summary if the paper is later withdrawn.
Abstract
A Stage 2 abstract is required. The Stage 2 abstract must be no more than 150 words. The Stage 2 abstract must be unstructured and unreferenced.
Manuscript
The Stage 2 main text must be up to 5,000 words excluding the abstract, Methods, references and figure legends. Stage 2 submissions must be divided into Introduction, Results, Discussion and Methods, with the Introduction presented without a heading, topical subheadings in Results and Methods, and no subheadings in Discussion. Manuscripts must include separate sections entitled Data availability and Code availability, and Stage 2 manuscripts must also contain a standalone Protocol Registration section with the approved Stage 1 protocol link.
References
References must be numerical. References must be numbered sequentially in the order Main Text, Methods, Data Availability section, Tables, Figure Legends, Box and Extended Data Figures, with only one publication given for each reference.
Figures & Tables
Stage 2 display items are limited to 8 figures and/or tables. Tables must be included at the end of the text document.
Resource
Cover Letter
A cover letter must be included with the submission. Cover letter should explain the importance of the work, why it is appropriate for a diverse readership, disclose related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere, and state whether there have been prior discussions with an editor about the work.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must be no more than 150 words. Abstract must be unstructured and unreferenced.
Manuscript
Main text must be up to 5,000 words excluding the abstract, online Methods, references, and figure legends. Manuscript must be divided into Introduction, Results, Discussion, and Methods, with the Introduction presented without a heading, Results and Methods divided by topical subheadings, and Discussion containing no subheadings.
References
References must be numerical. References must be numbered sequentially in the order of Main Text, Methods, Data Availability Section, Tables, Figure Legends, Box, and Extended Data Figures, with only one publication given for each reference.
Figures & Tables
Display items are limited to 8 figures and/or tables. Tables must be included at the end of the text document.
Review
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter should explain the importance of the work, why it is appropriate for a diverse readership, disclose any related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere, and state whether there have been prior discussions with an editor about the work.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Review main text must be 4,000–5,000 words. Review submissions must be narrative reviews only and should not include original unpublished research findings beyond minimal new supporting data.
References
Review references typically include approximately 150 references, including approximately 30–40 primary research papers published in the last 3 years. TeX/LaTeX submissions must use numerical references only for citations. References must be numbered sequentially and titles of cited articles are required in the reference list.
Figures & Tables
Tables must be included at the end of the text document, and complex tables can be submitted as a separate Excel file. Review illustrations are strongly encouraged.
Correspondence
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must explain the importance of the work, explain its appropriateness for a diverse readership, disclose any related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere, and state whether there were prior discussions with an editor about the work.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Correspondence must be no more than 800 words.
References
References must be limited to 10. Reference list entries must omit article titles.
Figures & Tables
Display items must be limited to 1. Tables must be included at the end of the text document, and complex tables can be submitted as a separate Excel file.
Matters Arising
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Submission should indicate if an attempt to contact the original authors was unsuccessful and any correspondence should be attached and clearly labelled 'Correspondence with the Nature Human Behaviour authors'.
Abstract
A brief opening paragraph is required and serves as the abstract for submission purposes. Abstract must consist of a brief unstructured opening paragraph.
Manuscript
Main text should be as concise as possible and ideally not exceed 1,200 words. Contribution must begin with a brief paragraph summarizing the message without specialized terminology for a non-specialist readership. Manuscript must include competing interests and author contributions statements.
References
Contribution may include up to 15 references. References must follow the style used for Articles.
Figures & Tables
Contribution should ideally require only one or two small figures or tables, and complex figures or tables may be presented as Extended Data items with ideally no more than three such items. Figures submitted at submission should be of sufficient quality to be assessed by referees, ideally as JPEGs.
Recent Publications
Petition style changes with AI writing support but outcomes do not improve
-
10.1038/s41562-026-02579-1
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Simulated responses from large language models are weak proxies for human economic preferences across 74 countries
Fadong Chen, Qijun Wang, Lei Wang, Sudeep Bhatia
10.1038/s41562-026-02611-4
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Both selfish and prosocial actors distort their impact on others, but selfish-serving spin seems to spread
-
10.1038/s41562-026-02584-4
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Responsibilism and culture
Adam B. Cohen, Amiryah N. Toves
10.1038/s41562-026-02616-z
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Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
Median submission to first editorial decision is 6 days. Median submission to acceptance is 252 days.
Reformat to Nature Human Behaviour using Livewrite PremiumIs a cover letter required?
A cover letter is expected for revised manuscripts when additional information is requested by the editors.
Reformat to Nature Human Behaviour using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
Open Access publication requires payment of an Article Processing Charge (APC). Primary research articles can be published either through the traditional subscription route or Open Access; non-primary research is not eligible for Open Access.
Reformat to Nature Human Behaviour using Livewrite PremiumResearch Topics
Neural dynamics and brain function
Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment
Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
Misinformation and Its Impacts
Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies
Mental Health Research Topics
Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
Behavioral Health and Interventions
Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
Cultural Differences and Values
Social and Intergroup Psychology
Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
Language and cultural evolution
COVID-19 epidemiological studies
scientometrics and bibliometrics research
Cognitive Abilities and Testing
Visual perception and processing mechanisms
Child and Animal Learning Development
Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Face Recognition and Perception
Health disparities and outcomes
Health and Medical Research Impacts
Social Media and Politics
Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior