Mirror, Mirror …
This chapter looks in detail at the study of human behavior in twins, fraternal and identical. Of particular interest are studies of genetically identical twins separated at birth and raised in different families and social environments. Also of interest are comparisons of adopted children with their birth versus adopted parents and siblings. These studies point to a very strong role for genes in regulating human behavior. But it is clear that few if any behaviors are dictated by single genes — there is no such thing as a fear gene, or a confidence gene, let alone an intelligence gene. While the environment certainly plays a role in modifying human behavior, it is also clear that humans based on differing genetic inheritances, can manipulate their environment in different ways.
Keywords: twin studies, adoption studies, genes versus environment
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