Twins Studies
Psychologists
have come up with the theory that identical twins have the same personality as
each other. The theory is that twin’s personalities are the same because of
either their genetics or because of their upbringing even if they were brought
up together or separated at birth. If their genetics has any part of their
personalities it is to do with being conceived in the same eggs and sharing
100% of the same DNA or only sharing 50% of the same DNA. There is a theory as
to if identical twins were separated at birth if they would be a clone of one
another even with different upbringings and whether they would be exactly the
same as twins who grew up together with their biological parents.
John Oates
a psychologist who has studied
identical twins and their personalities for over 10 years and associated with
the theory that identical twins are clones of each other even when they are
separated at birth and brought up by different parents and whether it had to do
with the genetics from their biological parents or their upbringing. Oates
produced evidence to support the genetic side of the twin theory, that even
though identical twins were separated at birth they still grow up with the same
looks, personalities, humours and speech. Oates found in their studies that just because
these twins were separated at birth it didn’t matter that they didn’t grow up
without each other they were still the exact same as one another even if they
didn’t know the other twin existed. It was found that genetics was a major part
of the twins personality and the way they lived their lives as there up
bringing was completely different but they still ended up being the same
person.
The theory
behind personality construction involving twins is about whether personality is
formed and maintained through genetics or upbringing or even a combination of
both. The purpose of psychologists that
study twins is to add evidence to support. Some psychologists believe that the
construction of personality has little to do with whether you are a twin. The construction of personality is all to do
with the person/people that are building their own individual personality on
their own whether they are an identical twin or not.
The problems
with the theory that only focuses on genetics is that if the twins are brought
up in the same household with same parents it is difficult to tell whether
personality is similar due to genetics or environmental factors. Genetic theory also has faults with studying
twins reared apart as some cases shows that although twins are similar in looks
and some personality factors are same other personality factors can be
different.
Studies done
by Profs Timothy Bates shows that identical twins are as twice more likely to
share the same personality traits than non-identical twins. It was determined
that family, their upbringing and the environment around non-identical twins is
to have more of an impact on their personality than there genetics compared to
identical twins.
Even though
in the studies it shows the theory is correct but with my experience with twins
and identical twins I feel that the theory is not 100% reliable but at the same
time it is also valued. I know three sets of twins and even though they look
exactly the same only two sets of the twins seem to have their own separate
individual personalities. The twins that I know all have their own separate
personalities and even dislike what their other twin does and doesn’t approve
of it even though they may still look the same some may still have their own
separate individual personality to the other twin.
In my
opinion on the personality theory that focuses on genetics as the major
indicator of construction of personality is somewhat valid. From the research I have found that even two
sisters that are three years apart can still have some similarities in their
personalities even when they don’t live together anymore. I feel that the
theory is likely to hold true that identical twins that were conceived in the
same egg are more likely to be born with the same or similar
personalities.
A real life
case study of identical twins that were separated at birth backs up the
personality theory on identical twins. Barbra and Daphne who were separated at
when they were only 6 weeks old show that the personality theory of identical
twins is correct in the genetics playing a part of identical twins
personalities. Daphne explained that when she first met her sister Barbra it
was just like meeting up with an old friend that she hadn’t seen in years
because they just hit it off as though they had known each other for years.
Daphne even explained that she and Barbra would do things at home the exact
same like cooking the same meals and watching the same TV show and they would
even dress like one another. The evidence that is shown from the case study
helps support the theory that genetics has a part of identical twins
personalities.
In the world
today a 1/3 of all twins are identical of one another, some not even realising
that they are like it. Not all twins are brought up by their biological parents
and some are separated at birth with them both being adopted or only one being
adopted out of the pair. Today there are 68 known pairs of identical twins that
have been separated at birth but it is not known whether these separated twins
are at knowledge that there is someone exactly the same as them living out
there.
Scientists
have been studying identical twins over the past years to see whether
environmental factors have anything to do with identical twins personalities.
Studies have shown that genes are a part of teenage twin’s personalities but the biochemical reactions is what turns those genes on
and off are controlled by the environment.
Reference List J
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