Equal Environment Assumption Summary

Table 3-1 examines the correlations between selected characteristics for the identical twins separated at birth and the twins raised together. When compared to each other, they both have very similar brain wave activity, blood pressure and heart rate in the physiological characteristics. The Raven intelligence test was very similar, but the WAIS IQ displayed a bit of difference when compared to the other comparisons made. Personality wise, they typically had similar personalities at the same rate as twins raised together. Psychological interests were off a little bit, but still very similar. The twins that were separated at birth had less similar psychological interests compared to the twins

Firstly, there has been a lot of research in regards to twins as there can be a clear comparison in how genetics has influenced their genetic behaviour and also analyse the difference between sets of monozygotic twins and dizygotic twins in relation to the trait ‘aggression’. There are two types of twins: Monozygotic who are identical twins and have all the same genes, and dizygotic twins who are not identical and only share 50% of their genes. Therefore, when MZ twins are

Parallel to this, the focus on genetics is Particularly convicted in twin studies, which establish a comparison between monozygotic twins that are identical and dizygotic twins, which are opposingly non-identical. This distinction can be identified in Torgersens study, which compared MZ and same sex DZ twins where one proband had an anxiety disorder, and it was discovered that such disorders were 5x more frequent in MZ twin pairs, who mutually shared identical genetics.

Many psychologists agree that nurture play a greater part in the development of a human being. Studies such as those performed on monozygotic twins (identical), who share the same genetics and those performed

Twin studies are a mainstay of the nature verse nurture debate because they allow researchers to conduct “natural experiments” on human beings. When researchers try to determine the relative importance of genetics and environment with regard to a certain condition, they have a hard time because they cannot generally get people with the same genes. This is where twin studies come in. Twins studies are part of the method used in behaviour genetics, which includes all data that are genetically informative. E.g. siblings, adoptees, pedigree data etc. Researchers use this method to estimate the heritability of traits and to quantify the effect of a person 's shared environment (family) and unique environment (the individual events that shape a life) on a trait.

Methods: The researchers needed a way to study a person who developed in a certain environment and how similar or different that person would be having been raised in a different environment. They came up with an experiment using monozygotic (identical) twins. Half of the pairs of twins were reared together (MZT); the other half were reared apart (MZA) and separated early in life. Each twin was individually given numerous surveys and

The Minnesota Twin Registry started in 1983 and its goal was to establish a registry of all twins born in Minnesota from 1936 to 1955 to be used for psychological research.., T.J. Bouchard, working in conjunction with the University of Minnesota, started exploring the similarities and differences in characteristics like personality, career interests, and a variety of personal interests between identical twins who were reared apart. Research was conducted on twins from all over the world. The Minnesota Twin study gave scientists a new insight of the role of nature vs. nurture on human development and personality; it was the hope that twin studies would be able to tie genes to specific behaviors. From the study, we understand that twins who were separated at birth and raised in different families

In reading stories about identical twins my point of view is easily understood. Various types of psychologist have analyzed the study of identical twins. It shows that individuals with the same genetic make-up can be totally different, when it comes to personality. Nurture promotes the twins to grow up as separate individuals. Its a lot better if a twin has his or her own personality rather than the same exact personality of the other half. I think this great debate weighs heavier on the nurture side. As a child my parents, and sibling overshadowed my genetic make-up. No matter how much I thought my physical traits made me behave. It did not affect me more than the things that I had seen and been exposed to. The more things that I had seen around and experienced made me the person that I am today. If my genetic make-up was totally different, to a certain extent, I am sure that I?d behave the same way that I do presently. There are exceptions to that. For instance if I were six foot five and one hundred and ninety pounds, I?d most likely be in the NBA and be really rich. I think if I was really rich and in the NBA I wouldn?t have the same worries that I have today. Even if before I were in the NBA I would have lots of attention and have a lot more confidence. So to an extent I would change a little if my genetic make-up were different. In a sense, genetic make-up is just a competitor to the environmental factors

Throughout history, across all cultures, people have been fascinated with twins. In addition to interest in the close emotional ties and biological similarities that twins may share, reports of special twin languages and twin extrasensory perception (ESP) help people to explore ideas of what it means to be human. How similar or different are they to each other? How important are genes and environment for development? Because identical twins share all of their genes, it is the environment—rather than genetics—that accounts for any differences between them.

Adoption studies are somewhat similar to twin studies because they are conducted for related reasons. These studies consist of monitoring and testing children who are adopted. For them, researchers study the IQs in children, their birth parents, and their adoptive parents. These studies also

Robert Plomin is perhaps one of the most well known psychologists of the 20th century. He is a preeminent researcher in the field of behavior genetics, is at the forefront of the ongoing “nature versus nurture” debate, and is most famous for his support of the nonshared environment influence among siblings, and for his recent work with twin studies. To date, Plomin has authored over 700 articles and books, and he continues to ardently research and serve as a professor at King’s College London.

As stated by Myers (2007), in the above quote, adopted twins studies also play a role in determining levels of intelligence and its heritability. However, like in all other psychological testing, correlation does not always mean causation and atypical findings may find their way into the data poll. It must also be noted that in order to successfully foster an identical twin study, all the twins should be adopted. This provides for a better chance for the twins to grow up in a different environment from their biological parents. If this is not the cases, how can professionals determine that environmental influences are not the cause of the intellectual levels? In addition, if separated,

Another study that has been done was with separated twins. Each twin was raised in a completely different environment than the other. Genetically, they were both identical in every way, but the environment that they were raised in was very different. One twin was raised in a very hostile setting and slowly became violent as an adult while the other twin was

In the podcast ‘Identical Strangers’ Explore Nature vs. Nurture, I initially thought that the study Elyse and Paula were subjects in was interesting because the twins were able to develop individually. Our book discussed how it is critical for twins to move from a sense of “we” to “I” (Santrock, 2017, p 68). This is exactly what Elyse and Paula were able to from an earlier age than most other twins because they were separate. Though they may have been able to move to the “I” more quickly, the twins missed out on 35 years of knowing and loving each other. They also did not get the opportunity to bond in a shared environment. The book states that “genes may be systematically related to the types of environment to which they are expose” (Santrock,

“Trying to separate out nature and nurture as explanations for behavior, as in classic genetic studies of twins and families, is now said to be both impossible and unproductive” (Levitt, 1). Social scientists have declared the nature-nurture debate to be unnecessary. Similarly, scientists feel that such debate is not only unhelpful, but also outdated. From geneticists’ perspective, nurture and nature interact to influence