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SEPARATED TWINS The nature vs. nurture debate is the philosophical and scientific argument about whether human behavior and personality is a product of nature or nurture. In this debate, nature is often referred to as hereditary or hormone-based behaviors, while nurture is defined in terms of environment and experience. Twin studies have been a vital part of this debate because of the exceptional genetic similarities between twin siblings. It has been proven that nature and genetics plays an important role in development of some mental health conditions, such as bipolar, major depression and schizophrenia. However, it cannot be concluded that mental illness is entirely inherited. In the case …show more content…
The attachment between identical twins was also suggested to be genetic by these studies, as eighty percent of identical twins stated that they felt closer to their twin than they did to their closest associates, despite having just met their twin. According to a study, it is suggested that genetics play a considerable role in the development of personality: Environment had little effect on personality when twins were raised together, however it did have an effect when they were raised separately. (“Nature vs. Nurture,” …show more content…
and Jim S., two identical twins, were first reunited at age 39. They were raised separately since infancy by different adoptive families in Ohio and were unaware of each other’s existence. During childhood, each twin had a dog named Toy. Each bit his fingernails and, since age 18 both of them had suffered from combined tension and migraine headache. They had similar voices, hand gestures, and personality. Each had been married twice, first to a Linda and then to a Betty. One had named his son James Allen, and the other, James Alan. Each had worked at a gas station and part-time in law enforcement as a sheriff. Both of them chain-smoked Salems and preferred an occasional Miller Lite beer. Every summer, in their light blue Chevrolet each of them drove their family to the Pas-Grille Beach in St. Petersburg from Ohio, Florida, for their mid-year occasions. (Lewis & Writer, n.d.) In Sweden, Nancy Pederson along with her coworkers categorized 99 pairs of separated identical twins and over 200 pairs of separated fraternal twins. After comparing them with equivalent samples of identical twins nurtured together, she came up with the conclusion that the separated identical twins had relatively less identical personalities. Still, separated identical twins were more alike than separated fraternal twins. What 's more, separation soon after birth (instead of, say, at age 10) did not escalate their identity contrasts. (G. Myers,
In the well-received novel “Pudd’nhead Wilson,” Mark Twain skillfully addresses the ancient argument about the origin of one’s character and whether it’s derived from his nature or his surroundings. We can best see this battle between nature versus nurture by inspecting the plot lines that follow the characters Thomas a Becket Driscoll, Valet de Chambre, and Roxana the slave. Thomas was born into a wealthy white family while Roxy birthed Chambers into a life of slavery. It seemed as though each would have gone their separate ways into opposite walks of life, but Roxy secretly swapped the children, which destined each to their counterintuitive fates. Through their words and actions, Tom, Chambers, and Roxy have proven the idea that one’s behaviors and desires are a result of his upbringings and the environment he lives in rather than by his innate nature.
There are many things that can alter the personality of an individual; some of these are voluntarily inflicted, while others are uncontrollable. Among the uncontrollable altercations, birth order is perhaps the largest influence on a person's disposition. Personality is influenced by the "place" a person has in their family as well as the family situation. It is important whether an individual is an only child, first born, second born, third born, a boy among girls, or a girl among boys, and so on.
As I walk through the crowded mall with my sister, little children stare, most adults do a discreet double take, and some bold adults question us outright. “Wow, are you twins?” “Do you know you look the same?” “What’s it like to be a twin?” “Do you have, like, psychic powers, or something with each other?” These are the most common questions twins hear. Almost all twins don’t really mind them and sometimes the attention is cool. Mostly, we just smile tolerantly at each other and answer them as best we can. After all, we don’t really know how to describe being a twin. We have never known anything else. Nonetheless, here we are. So, as a person who might not know exactly what she is talking about, I will try to briefly explanation to the general public the experience of being a genetic quirk.
Many conducted research by looking into identical twins and their personality types. Even when the twins were separated, they expressed some of the same behaviors and traits as their twin which concluded that some traits are inheritable. This thought can go deeper into the brain through a domain called personality neuroscience where people have discovered the dopamine receptor gene (Pastorino & Doyle-Portillo, pg. 479, 2015). This gene influences the amount of serotonin in the brain and can cause greater anxiety levels in these people. The founding of this gene solidifies the fact that biology and personality are indeed
Dr. Eileen Pearlman says that “The separation and individuation process begins early in life, and for some twins it takes longer than others as not only do twins need to learn to separate and individuate from their mothers but they also have to learn to separate and individuate from each other.” The constant comparison from individuals looking into their life can make this harder for twins. People need to understand that with being a twin there are advantages but also disadvantages. People and even family members of twins can fail to realize this. The figment of people's imagination is that twins get along, have similar tastes, and are the exactly alike, almost the same
The nature vs. nurture debate is about what causes human behavior. For example, if someone is a superior basketball player, how much is intense training and motivation, and how much is genetic. Nature means that it is the environment. It is most likely places, or even a person's biography. For example, forests, mountains, myself, you, us, etc. While nurture means taking care of. For example, Nurturing your child means taking care of your child.
Personality is a term that has largely been considered an unproblematic concept and primarily refers to the varying kinds of characteristics of individuals. Despite this assumption, psychologists have constantly used the word in different ways. The varying views in the use of this concept or term are fueled by the fact that psychology usually makes generalizations regarding individuals. Generally, personality seeks to examine the many differences and similarities between individuals. Formal evaluation and study of personality have mainly focused on patterns of similarities versus patterns of differences among individuals. When evaluating patterns of differences, the concept of abnormality has emerged and attracted huge concerns among psychologists. Since the issue is controversial, there are concerns whether individual differences in personality can be effectively explained with reference to genes.
Over the last couple of decades scientist, psychologist, and people have questioned over the idea, and the stereo typical question of nature versus nurture. Using twin studies, scientist have been given the understanding that the environment and heredity influence their behavior development. With using the adoption in twin studies, the doctors and scientists have been able to tell the extent to which the resemblance and families is due to the jeans that are shared and due to the environment that is shared. Because of the jeans that are identical carried by the monozygotic twins, identical twins, there has been a great appeal to most scientists and doctors. Psychologist have been able to link the strong genetic
The idea of shared environmental aspects meaning that the parents behave the same way with all their children, and that any consequences of being around those parents will have an effect of making two twins more similar to each other. An example of non-shared environmental factors discussed is peer relationships. Since each individual in a twin pair is likely to form different friendships outside of the home, the consequences of associating with different peers can contribute to observed differences between twins (Andershed). After the contribution of genetic factors was accounted for in the study, the role of environmental effects was examined. Findings showed that the contribution of non-shared environmental effects was fairly large, while shared environmental effects were negligible.
Personality is a consistent, yet flexible pattern of behavior and emotion that varies from person to person (Comer, 2010). An individuals personality, or temperament, is apparent from the time they are an infant, and continues to expand and develop throughout their life (Santrock, 2011). Personality may be influenced by a number of factors, such as genetics, learning, experience, or a combination of these (Comer, 2010). Birth order and its effects on personali...
In the textbook, Personality Psychology, this is the first case presented (in chapter 6) is of twins separated at birth and then raised with two different families, still showed very striking similarities throughout their lives. Such as marrying women with the same names and also liking the same type of cigarettes, beer and profession. Identical twins are the most identical due to having the same genetic make up, so if they are showing similar likes and dislikes it leads me to believe that we may have some aspect of a predetermined set of traits that are then incorporated into our
Researches have been able to generate studies to investigate the correlation between specific genetic features, and personality traits. . (Scientists Have Found Genetic Links Between Personality Traits And Psychiatric Diseases, 2016) Genetics is seen to be one of the most influential factors affecting personality as it helps with self-control, social and learning abilities and give persons a sense of purpose. A research from Edingburg University involved more than 800 sets of identical and non-identical twins was conducted to prove that genetics has a greater effect on how successful people are in life. (It's nature, not nurture: personality lies in genes, twins study shows, n.d.) Although these twins shared most if not all of their genetic material; identical twins were twice as likely as non- identical twins to share the same personality traits. They were able to link certain genes with traits, for example, the genes WSCD2 and PCDH15 are linked with extraversion while the gene L3MBTL2 is linked to neuroticism. (Scientists Have Found Genetic Links Between Personality Traits And Psychiatric Diseases, 2016) The idea that a person’s DNA code may have a drastic effect on the way their personality is shaped is still new and not widely accepted. Through
Most of what psychologists know about biological influences on personality comes from twin studies. Twin studies examine...
One of the most well-known debates in psychology is nature versus nurture. Nature is pre-determined traits, influenced by biological factors and genetics. Physical characteristics such as height, hair color, and eye color is all determined by the genetics we inherit. Nurture is the influence of environmental factors. Nature and nurture affects the physical, emotional, and social development of a child.
This paper will take a closer look at this phenomenon through an introduction to the field of study regarding the link between birth order and personality. To set the stage, theories of birth order will first be briefly reviewed. The progress of studies from this initial theoretical stage has cause...