Twin studies are used as a research method to investigate human behaviour in biological psychology - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 10 - 2017 - Paper 1

One prominent twin study in biological psychology is the Minnesota Twin Study, which aimed to understand the role of genetics and environment in shaping behavior and personality traits.

Background of the Study

The Minnesota Twin Study involved a wide range of monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins raised together and apart. This provided researchers with unique insights into the similarities and differences in behaviors attributable to genetic vs. environmental factors.

Findings

1. Genetic Influence: The study found that monozygotic twins showed higher correlations in traits such as intelligence, personality, and even specific behaviors like smoking. This implies a significant genetic component to these traits.
2. Environmental Impact: Conversely, twins reared apart exhibited differences, highlighting how environmental factors contribute to individual differences despite similar genetic backgrounds.

Evaluation of Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths: A major strength of this study is its robust methodology, encompassing a large sample size of twins from diverse backgrounds, which increases the generalizability of the findings. Moreover, studying twins raised apart provides a unique lens through which to differentiate genetic from environmental influences.
• Weaknesses: However, a limitation is the difficulty in separating the myriad of potential environmental influences. Additionally, the sample may not be representative of all twins, potentially limiting the applicability of the findings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Minnesota Twin Study significantly contributes to our understanding of human behavior by elucidating the complex interplay between genetics and environment. However, the findings must be considered in light of the study’s limitations, emphasizing the need for further research to deepen our understanding.