Identical twins separated at birth: nature versus nurture

Nature and Nurture

A study of identical twins separated at birth is useful in determining the effects of nature and nurture on human behavior, since twins are genetically the closest prototypes of each other that can be found among human beings. Thus, when twins are raised in different environments, it is likely that any resulting differences between the two could be ascribed to their environment in greater part than to their inherent genetics. Conversely, whatever similarities are found between the growing twins, depending on the diversity of their environments, could then be ascribed to the genetics inherited from their parents.

A study to determine the effects of nature and nurture upon human behavior could be designed involving a number of twin sets from a variety of age groups. Grown-up twins can for example be examined for their differences and similarities, and used as a control group for younger sets of twins to be observed for a number of years. Fraternal twins as well as siblings can also be used to control the findings of such a study. While 100% of genes are shared by identical twins, 50% are shared by fraternal twins (Neimark, 1997). Studies including identical and fraternal twins as well as siblings will therefore be revealing with regard to the nature/nurture debate. The groups can then be compared to determine to which degree the environment influenced their differences and genetics their similarities.