Question

In the video, studies of twins were used to add evidence to a debate about whether an individual's character is formed primarily from their genetics or their environment. Review your course readings and answer the following questions related to the Nature or Nurture debate

In your own words, explain how the use of twin studies can help to clarify whether characteristics are determined primarily by genes or environment.

The assumption made in this debate is that factors in an individual’s genetic make-up, or in their environment, cause how they act as adults. Discuss whether you agree with that assumption and why or why not.

In your opinion, does the high degree of correlation between the behavior of twins prove that genetics causes their behavior?

Why might you question how well one variable predicts another, such as whether genes or environment predicts adult behavior?

Thinking about your own life experiences, describe reasons why your genetics or childhood environment might fail to predict your current decisions and actions.

Answer 1

1.

"How the use of twin studies can help to clarify whether characteristics are determined primarily by genes or environment?" - Explanation:

Conduct a study on sufficiently large number twins by taking responses from them for various questions based on their characteristics such as likes, dislikes, motivations, ambitions, sensitivities, abilities, etc,. and perform appropriate tests based on the responses such as matched pairs t-test or ANOVA or Chi-square test, etc,. to know whether characters are determined primarily by genes or environment or both of them contributed equally, i.e., without any significant difference.

2.

"The assumption made in this debate is that factors in an individual’s genetic make-up or in their environment, cause how they act as adults".

I do agree with the assumption to some extent. I feel it is correct to some extent but not the entire thing and also differs from individual to individual. It is completely dependent on one's own thinking and mind set and it is difficult to generalise it, but not impossible. By conducting suitable tests as above, we can find out if there are any significant patterns.

3.

In my opinion, the high degree of correlation between the behavior of twins may or may not prove that genetics causes their behavior because I think there is another variable that causes this high correlation which is "environment" which is a potential confounding variable here. In order to overcome this confounding effect, the sample of twins which is used to compute correlation must include those twins whose environments are significantly different, i.e., grown mostly in different environments(or places) and this can be achieved by performing controlled experiments over the years, if not by observational studies. Then, under such circumstances where confounding effect of environment is controlled, the high degree of correlation between the behavior of twins prove that genetics causes their behavior.

4.

Thinking of my own life experiences, my genetics or childhood environment might fail to predict my current decisions and actions due to the following reasons:

a) The present conditions, circumstances, opportunities and problems decide my current decisions and actions that is not dependent on genetics and childhood environment.

b) The current financial status, education level, maturity level, influences, technology, modern day comforts as well as challenges might be the considerable reasons that decide my current decisions and actions.

c) My passions, ambitions, visions and the nature of breaking routine activities and patterns from time to time might also be the significant factors that decide my current decisions and actions.