Introduction (continued)

We can use the twin-study method to see which personality traits are inherited or formed by the environment. By the studies of twins, it is generally seen that genetic influences the basic temperamental characteristics the strongest which are relatively stable in the stage of development. There are two kinds of twins - monozygotic twins, who are more commonly known as identical twins, and dizygotic twins, known as fraternal twins. Twins can be compared to identify genes that affect the characteristics of persons. Identical twins share a home environment and have the same genetic makeup, while fraternal twins share a home environment but do not share the exact same genetic makeup. This difference can be used to tweeze out which personality characteristics are inherited and which are formed by the environment.

Exactly how much is personality development affected by genetic makeup and the environment? In studies comparing behavioral traits in identical and fraternal twins, researchers found that genetic differences can account for 40 to 50 percent of differences in personality traits, while environmental influences account for about 30 percent of differences in personality traits.

So, why should we study about what role biological and environmental factors take in the development of personality? What does this have to do with us? The answer is this - how we look at the nature-nurture issue affects the way we look at people, especially children, look at why they behave in certain ways, and how to deal with it. So why not start looking into each of the factors now?

Produced for Thinkquest Internet Challenge 2000.

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