Discussion: nature vs nurture
Discussion: nature vs nurture
(Discussion: nature vs nurture)
Prepare for this post by listening to the audio clip from NPR’s “All Things Considered” – ‘Identical Strangers’ Explore Nature Vs. Nurture. (Links to an external site.) After listening to the program and reading Chapters 1 & 2, explore the following topics in your initial post:
1. How much does nature vs. nurture contribute to differences between Paula and Elyse? Provide examples from the story and support from the textbook.
2. Why were the researchers so interested in studying twins raised apart? How does this type of study help us understand the nature vs. nurture debate? Provide examples from the story and support from the textbook.
3. Why were the results of the study never published? Why would a study like this never be allowed to run now? Provide examples from the story and support from the textbook.
Nature vs. Nurture in the Case of Paula and Elyse
The story of Paula Bernstein and Elyse Schein, identical twins separated at birth and reunited at 35, offers valuable insights into the nature versus nurture debate. Their reunion revealed striking similarities, such as both being writers and having studied film, suggesting a genetic influence on their interests and aptitudes. However, differences in their upbringing environments also played a role in shaping their unique identities. This case underscores the complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors in human development.
Researchers’ Interest in Studying Twins Raised Apart
Researchers have long been interested in studying twins raised apart to disentangle the effects of genetics and environment on human behavior and traits. Identical twins share nearly all their genetic material, making them ideal subjects to assess the influence of nature versus nurture. By comparing twins raised in different environments, scientists can identify which traits are more strongly influenced by genetics and which are shaped by upbringing. This approach provides a natural experiment to explore the relative contributions of heredity and environment.
Unpublished Study Results and Ethical Considerations
The study involving Paula and Elyse was part of a larger research project led by psychiatrist Peter B. Neubauer, which focused on twins separated at birth and raised by different families. The results of this study were never published, partly due to ethical concerns regarding the separation of twins without informed consent. Such a study would not be permitted today, as current ethical standards emphasize the well-being of participants and require informed consent, making the deliberate separation of siblings for research purposes unacceptable.
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