#667 - Nancy Segal - What Twins Separated At Birth Teach Us About Nature vs Nurture
Aug 14, 2023
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Nancy Segal, a leading twin-study researcher and professor, dives into the nature vs. nurture debate through fascinating case studies of twins separated at birth. She discusses astonishing similarities between these twins and reveals unique phenomena like super fecundation. The emotional bonds shared by identical twins are explored, highlighting their impact on behavior and relationships. The conversation also addresses the ethical concerns of twin separations for research, emphasizing the importance of understanding genetic backgrounds in shaping identity.
Twins raised apart exhibit uncanny similarities, highlighting the influence of genetics on human behavior and preferences.
Psychopathologies like schizophrenia and autism have a significant genetic component, with higher concordance rates among identical twins.
Understanding genetic predispositions can lead to more realistic decisions and lifestyle changes, such as managing alcohol consumption or divorce.
Deep dives
The Fascinating View into Nature vs. Nurture Debate
This podcast episode with Nancy Segal, a prominent twin study researcher, explores the influence of genetics and environment on human traits and outcomes. It delves into the similarities between twins raised apart, the impact of genes and environment on human traits, the role of chance in our lives, and the emotional bond between identical twins. It also discusses the kinship genetic theory, which suggests that we feel greater cooperation and altruism towards those with whom we share higher degrees of genetic relatedness.
The Intriguing Similarities Observed in Twins Raised Apart
Through various examples and studies, Nancy Segal highlights the uncanny similarities found in twins raised apart. These includes similar mannerisms, interests, and even idiosyncratic behaviors. The podcast emphasizes that these similarities are not mere coincidences, but rather indicative of the influence of genetics on human behavior and preferences. It also sheds light on the importance of conducting developmental research designs to disentangle the effects of genes and environment on twin development.
The Impact of Genetics on Various Psychopathologies
The podcast episode explores the genetic component of several psychopathologies, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, and dementia. Nancy Segal explains that these disorders exhibit a higher concordance rate among identical twins compared to fraternal twins, indicating a significant genetic influence. The discussion highlights the complexity of gene-environment interactions and the importance of understanding the role of genetics in various mental health conditions.
The Ethics and Joy of Reuniting Separated Twins
The podcast addresses the ethical concerns surrounding the separation of twins and argues against keeping twins apart for non-legitimate reasons. Nancy Segal shares her personal view of bringing twins together and the joy of witnessing their reunions. She emphasizes the special bond between twins and the transformative experience of meeting a long-lost twin for the first time. The episode acknowledges the challenges and complex emotions involved in twin separations and reunions.
The Influence of Genes and Environment on Decisions and Lifestyle Changes
Genes play a role in divorce, but they do not determine decisions like divorce. Identical twins are more likely to divorce together, but the choice to divorce is made by the individuals. Understanding behavioral genetics can lead to more realistic decisions and lifestyle changes. For example, knowing that one has a genetic predisposition to alcoholism can lead to managing alcohol consumption more carefully.
The Role and Importance of Parenting in Child Development
Parents have an important role in supporting and nurturing their children's individual interests, temperaments, and abilities. Parenting should focus on allowing a child to become more of who they are rather than molding them into something else. Parents who are attuned to their child's needs and interests are more effective and successful. Taking cues from the child and being supportive can have a significant impact on a child's development. Good parenting involves sensitivity and understanding rather than prescriptive approaches.
Nancy Segal is a professor at California State University, an author and one of the most prominent twin-study researchers on the planet.
What makes you the person you are? Is it your genetics or your environment? When twins are either accidentally or purposefully separated at birth, it presents a fascinating view into this debate, shedding light on the influence of both traits and environments on the outcomes we get in life.
Expect to learn the craziest similarities between twins who have been raised apart, how it's possible to have a pair of twins born at the same time to two different fathers, what happens when twins meet for the first time, what you can learn from triplets that you can’t learn from twins, just how big of an impact genes and environment are on the traits we see in people, how important of a role chance plays in our lives and much more...
