During the second half of the 20th century, psychology was dominated by the behaviorism theory which states that all human behavior is controlled by environmental factors. Adopted monozygotic twins who were separated at birth were to be reunited later on as adults. The purpose of this study was to see if monozygotic twins that were raised together (MZT) were more similar than monozygotic twins that were raised apart (MZA). The twins each had one week visit, testing about 50 hours every week. These tests included four personality trait scales, three aptitude and occupational interest inventories and two intelligence tests. Along with these tests, there were interviews that were held. These included a life history interview, a psychiatric interview and a sexual history interview. All the assessments that were done were held individually so that the twins did not influence each other’s answers. …show more content…
If the MZT and MZA twins had the same correlations, the result would be 1.00, and if the correlations were different the result would be 0.00. When looking at column number 4 of table 3-1, it is clear that the correlations were very similar. This shows that the correlations were very close to 1.00, with the numbers no lower than .700. These findings demonstrate that identical twins who were raised separately, were still very similar to each other in both appearance, personality and basic psychology. It also demonstrated that environment had little effect on identical twins who were raised in the same
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
For more than a century after Galton’s observation, twin studies have become an essential tool when studying behavioural genetics. It allows researchers to understand how genetics and the environment play a role in an individual’s development which include biological, behavioural and psychological disorders. Thus twin study is used to evaluate the degree of genetic relatedness and is commonly used to explore the influence of environment and genes when studying patterns of aggression, intelligence, schizophrenia, and even alcohol dependence.
After meeting they both discovered that both suffer from tension headaches. They both showed high blood pressure and a history of migranes , again this isnt just coincidence.[2] Studies like this are important to psychology to help the nature/nurture debate , as it allows psychologists to show the similarites within the twins even though they are raised in different environments. It also allows psychologists to show why certain differences and similarites occur within the twins. Conclusion After looking through sources and case studies I believe that some behaviour is due to genetics its hard to say whether it is nature or nurture because it is both.
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.
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
The theory to this study was that if you take two people with exactly the same genes, separate them at birth, and put them in completely different environments, the behavioral and personality characteristics that they share as adults can only be explained through genetics. Participants in the study were specifically monozygotic twins who were separated at birth, lived apart from each other for a significant span of their lives, and reunited as adults. Each twin underwent a series of tests and interviews individually so that it was impossible for them to influence their answers.
As Joseph (2004) pointed out, however, this is not always the case. Monozygotic twins are more likely to be treated in a similar way, encounter more similar environments, and be to be thought of as ‘the twins’ rather than two separate individuals. This, in turn, can lead to ‘identity confusion’ and so potentially a higher concordance rate amongst monozygotic twins. Therefore Joseph argues that the greater concordance rate seen in monozygotic twins than in dizygotic twins is a result of the differing attitudes and environments experienced by the two types of twins.
Nature is responsible for how people act, and think. Twins, even if they are separated, are eerily similar in personality, the way they think,
The study of twins relies on studying teens raised in the same family environments. Identical twins (Monozygotic) share all of their genes, while fraternal (dizygotic) only share 50% of their genes. Researchers use this method to estimate the heritability of traits.
In this study, they are used several type of method, one of the technique is used two or more test instrument to ensure the adequate coverage, for example the participants were given a battery of personality and mental ability tests, interest and value inventories and psychomotor tests. In addition, separate of examiners administer the IQ test, life history interview, psychiatric interview and sexual life history interview. The twin also complete questionnaire independently under the constant supervision of the staff members. Twin studies are valuable to researchers because identical twins share 100% of their genes and fraternal twins share, on average, 50% of their genes. Both identical and fraternal twins share certain aspects of their environment (e.g. religious practices in the home). This allows researchers to estimate the heritability of certain traits. Participants are asked about academic ability, personality, and interests; family and social relationships; mental and physical health; physiological measurements. Of interest to researchers are prevalence of psychopathology, substance
The biology of leadership had been under scientific investigation for many years. Identical twins (identical or monozygotic twins, share 100% of their genetic material) have the same genes and it’s a perfect start to get some clues about the effects of inheritance on leadership. By following twins through their life and carefully studying their cognitive functions and behaviors, a lot of valuable data can be collected and analyzed. Li et al., (2012) studied 107 pairs of identical and 89 pairs of fraternal female twins and reported that only about one-third of the variance in leadership role occupancy can be explained by genetic factors; which is not very surprising. Although identical twins share exactly the same genes but they have been exposed
Scientists and psychologists everywhere study twins. The argument most commonly studied is nature versus nurture. The focus of this essay, however, is whether or not to separate twins in schools. Some believe the separation is demeaning and traumatic to the twins. The side about to be proved however that is this separation is a necessary step in the individualization of twins. Often, separation sparks the path to individualization.
In this study both set of twins were brought up in the same environment. The results from this study suggest that identical twins genetically related showed a 50% concordance. In one out of two cases both twins demonstrated criminal behaviour and in the non-identical twin study there was only 21% concordance. This research shows a strong link between genetics and criminal behaviour disposition but also demonstrates the importance of the environmental factors. Another twin study carried out by Mednick et al, (1984) looked at identical-twins who were adopted by two different families and brought up apart from each other.
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