Born together--reared apart : the landmark Minnesota twin study / Nancy L. Segal.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Segal, Nancy L., 1951-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Twins--Psychology--Research.

Twins.

Nature and nurture--Research.

Nature and nurture.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (416 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The identical "Jim twins" were raised in separate families and met for the first time at age thirty-nine, only to discover that they both suffered tension headaches, bit their fingernails, smoked Salems, enjoyed woodworking, and vacationed on the same Florida beach. This example of the potential power of genetics captured widespread media attention in 1979 and inspired the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart. This landmark investigation into the nature-nurture debate shook the scientific community by demonstrating, across a number of traits, that twins reared separately are as alike as those raised together. As a postdoctoral fellow and then as assistant director of the Minnesota Study, Nancy L. Segal provides an eagerly anticipated overview of its scientific contributions and their effect on public consciousness. The study's evidence of genetic influence on individual differences in traits such as personality (50%) and intelligence (70%) overturned conventional ideas about parenting and teaching. Treating children differently and nurturing their inherent talents suddenly seemed to be a fairer approach than treating them all the same. Findings of genetic influence on physiological characteristics such as cardiac and immunologic function have led to more targeted approaches to disease prevention and treatment. And indications of a stronger genetic influence on male than female homosexuality have furthered debate regarding sexual orientation.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Introduction

CHAPTER ONE. The Jim Twins (February- March 1979)

CHAPTER TWO. 15,000 Questions × 137 Pairs

CHAPTER THREE. Early Findings (1979- 1983)

CHAPTER FOUR. Sexual Orientation, Cognition, and Medical Traits (1984- 1987)

CHAPTER FIVE. Pivotal Papers: Personality and IQ (1988 and 1990)

CHAPTER SIX. Job Satisfaction, Cardiac Characteristics, and More (1989- 1990)

CHAPTER SEVEN. Psychopathology and Religiosity (1990)

CHAPTER EIGHT. Dental Traits, Allergies, and Vocational Interests (1991- 1992)

CHAPTER NINE. Creativity, Work Values, and Evolution (1992- 1993)

CHAPTER TEN. Family Environments, Happiness, Sensation Seeking, and the MMPI (1994- 1997)

CHAPTER ELEVEN. "Larks" and "Owls," Ego Development, and Authoritarianism (1998- 2002)

CHAPTER TWELVE. Twin Relationships, Social Attitudes, and Mental Abilities (2003- 2005)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. Sexual Development, Fluctuating Asymmetry, Body Size, and the Structure of Intelligence (2006 and Beyond)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. Questions, Answers, and Twin Studies of the Future

APPENDIX A. Funding Sources

APPENDIX B. Glossary

Notes

Acknowledgments

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780674070141

0674070143

9780674055469

0674055462

OCLC:

798902950