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What Is a Twin Study?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A twin study is a psychological study which focuses specifically on twins. These studies are used to explore the science of behavioral genetics, and several psychologists actually specialize in twin studies. The validity of twin studies is questioned by some researchers, especially when psychologists place heavy emphasis on the results of a twin study. Others argue that they are very valuable, even when used only as a starting point for further scientific inquiry.

Twins are unique because they share genetic material. Identical twins are actually genetically identical, while fraternal twins share half of their genetic material. This allows people who are interested in studying the role of genes in personality development to control the circumstances of their studies a bit more. Since psychological studies on humans can be ethically ambiguous, a twin study is one way to examine the interplay of genetics and environment when examining personality development without crossing ethical boundaries.

Because identical twins developed from one pair of ova and sperm, they are genetically indetical.
Because identical twins developed from one pair of ova and sperm, they are genetically indetical.

In most cases, a twin study follows twins which grow up in the same household. Ideally, the study should compare other types of siblings growing up in the same household, as a basis for comparison. When twins demonstrate more similarities than conventional siblings, these similarities are assumed to be genetic. Other twin studies focus on twins who have endured separation at birth, such as twins who have been adopted out, in a further effort to look at the role of environment on personality.

Twin studies track identical twins over the course of their lifetimes to see how their environment or diet affects their health and development.
Twin studies track identical twins over the course of their lifetimes to see how their environment or diet affects their health and development.

Critics of twin studies point out that a number of factors influence personality, and that even established genetic personality traits are extremely complex. These traits involve the interactions of multiple genes, and it may not be entirely fair to evaluate personality on the basis of a study which may be influenced by other factors. For example, some people may be genetically inclined to carry twins, which might skew such a study. In addition, a twin study assumes that twins are treated equally, making their environments comparable, and this may not always be the case.

According to researchers, approximately 90% of all twins are fraternal.
According to researchers, approximately 90% of all twins are fraternal.

As is often the case with scientific research, twin studies are a topic of debate. It is important to carefully analyze the results of any psychological study, since human psychology is very complex. A twin study may make the mistake of turning correlation into causation, for example, or it may place emphasis on outdated research methods. Even with obvious flaws, however, twin studies are certainly interesting, and the concept of the twin study also laid the foundations for the field of behavioral genetics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a twin study?

A twin study is a research technique that examines how genetics and the environment interact to affect a certain feature or behavior. Researchers may ascertain the contribution of genetic and environmental variables in the development of a certain trait or behavior by comparing identical and non-identical twins. Understanding the intricate interaction between heredity and environment in determining human behavior requires research of this kind.

Why are twin studies important?

Twin studies are crucial for gaining an understanding of how genetics and environment interact to influence a trait or behavior. Researchers may ascertain the relative impact of genetic and environmental variables on a characteristic by comparing identical and non-identical twins. Twin research identifies genetic or environmental risk factors for certain illnesses or disorders and sheds light on the inheritance of particular traits.

What are the types of twin studies?

Monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twin studies are the two kinds of twin research that are carried out. Studies on monozygotic twins contrast the genetically identical twins' similarities and differences. In contrast, comparing the similarities and differences of fraternal twins, who share around 50% of their genetic makeup, is the focus of dizygotic twin research.

How are twin studies carried out?

Identical and non-identical twins are often compared in twin studies to ascertain the relative contributions of heredity and environment to a trait or behavior. The physical and psychological features of the twins are recorded, and this information is utilized to examine the genetic and environmental influences on the trait or behavior under study.

What are the limitations of twin studies?

While twin studies are a useful method for determining how much genetics and environment matter, they have several drawbacks. They are unable to take into account all the variables, such as social or cultural influences, that could affect a characteristic or behavior. Sample sizes for twin research are limited since recruiting enough identical twins for a study might be difficult. Due to certain genetic and environmental circumstances, they may not also apply to non-twin groups.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon108301

This article falsely says that a twin study assumes twins are treated equally. Actually, twin studies don't assume that two twins are treated equally to each other. Rather, the studies assume that fraternal twins are treated no more similarly to each other than "identical" or monozygotic twins are. This is called the "equal environment assumption" and is generally wrong.

Source: "Twin Studies in Psychiatry and Psychology: Science or Pseudoscience?" by Jay Joseph, Psychiatric Quarterly Spring 2002. Full text available online.

anon101907

i am a 48 year old twin sister to a brother with whom i am very close but i often dream of a sister i had before i was born.

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    • Because identical twins developed from one pair of ova and sperm, they are genetically indetical.
      By: Monkey Business
      Because identical twins developed from one pair of ova and sperm, they are genetically indetical.
    • Twin studies track identical twins over the course of their lifetimes to see how their environment or diet affects their health and development.
      By: ehrenberg-bilder
      Twin studies track identical twins over the course of their lifetimes to see how their environment or diet affects their health and development.
    • According to researchers, approximately 90% of all twins are fraternal.
      By: Aliaksei Lasevich
      According to researchers, approximately 90% of all twins are fraternal.