Twin Studies Twin studies are a vastly important tool in dissecting the nature versus nurture argument. Identical twins, or monozygotic twins, are siblings whose genotypes are duplicates of each other. They are most likely the best indicator of whether biology affects traits and psychopathology in human beings. For example, if one twin has dark hair, then the other twin has dark hair as well; this concept of identical genes would ideally distribute itself toward the phenotypes of behavior and personality of identical twins (Plomin, DeFries, McClearn, & Rutter, 1997). Fraternal twins, or dizygotic twins, share exactly half their genes with each other.
Coates et al propose that the trauma led to a cross gender fantasy as a means of resolving the ensuing anxiety. Another psychosocial explanation is the effect of mother-son relationships. Stoller found that GID is often a result of distorted parent attitudes. He interviewed GID individuals and found that the majority displayed overly close mother-son relationships. Therefore, this may have led to greater female identification and confused gender identity.
Sibling relationship, as stated in East & Khoo (2005) study, holds high importance and shapes behavioral characteristics in adolescence. Older siblings and the relationship between them can have an adverse affect on the behavior of the younger sibling. Sibling relationship importance in regards to behavior can be paralleled to this study. Without a doubt these relationships affect the way in which a child adapts to changes and environment. Another goal of this study was to support the importance of relationships between siblings and the impact that placement in foster care (separate or apart) may have on that relationship.
Research has shown that ADHD is more prevalent in boys and runs in families, apparently for both genetic and environmental reasons” (R. Kolwalski, D. Westen, 2011). However, some risk factors associated with ADHD include severe marital discord between parents, low social class, maternal psychopathology, and paternal criminality” (Biederman et al., 1995). The more of these risk factors a child has the more likely he may develop ADHD. Another mental illness and is considered one the most tragic of all disorders is Schizophrenia. Unfortunately, “schizophrenia is an umbrella term for a number of psychotic disorders that involve disturbances in nearly every dimension of human psychology, including thought, perception, behavior, language, communication, and emotion” ” (R. Kolwalski, D. Westen, 2011).
This suggests that certain genetic factors may lead to abnormal functioning of areas of the brain causing illnesses such as OCD. In addition, there is a high concordance rate between identical twins and they are twice as likely to develop OCD if their twin has the disorder compared to non identical twins. Therefore this also shows how there are certain genes that cause OCD and that these genes may be hereditary. Another explanation for OCD is Neuroanatomical processes involving the OFC caudate nuclei loop. The loops involves the orbital frontal cortex which picks up on situations that we need to worry about and then sends this message on to the Caudate Nucleus which describes whether or not the message is important and if it deems yes, the message is passed on to the thalamus, which acts upon the received message.
The purpose of this paper was to examine some literature on the impact of ADHD on siblings. The result of the literature that was reviewed indicates that siblings feel a part of a dysfunctional family when one child has ADHD. The behaviors and symptoms associated with ADHD can put a hug strain on the sibling as well as the family and the affected child causing a major disruption. There needs to be more research done on how to cope and maintain a healthy family unit when one child has
Descirbe and Evaluate Cross Cultural Variations in attachment (12 marks) Due to the fact that the ways that people bring up their children can be very different all over the world as we share different attitudes, values and beliefs etc. People emphasize on developing distinct skills and qualities, so attachments formed can be different. For instance, countries like America and Germany would value personal independence and achieve more, whereas interdependence people is valued more in China. The two cultures mentioned are called individualistic culture and collectivist culture respectively. Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg carried out a meta-analysis that collates and analyses data from many studies carried out by other researchers of 32 separate studies in eight different countries over 2000 babies using Ainsworth’s ‘Strange Situation’.
The rationale underlying the use of twins in explaining criminal behaviour is that if 1 MZ twin shows signs of aggressive behaviour, and the other one does too, then it is down to genetic influence. However if they other twin doesn't, then it means the environment must have something to do with it. If Harry did have a twin who also shows aggressive behaviour, which may due to his 'difficult family background', because he would share a 100% concordance with him, this would be why he showed aggressive behaviour and had criminal record. Studies were undergone which both supported and criticised this approach. One of the earliest studies done by Johannes Lange found that MZ twins showed a much higher degree of concordance for criminal behaviour than DZ twins.
Epigenetics, which literally translates to “above the gene”, is a recent study of heritable changes in gene expression. It is the theory that our actions affect not only our own gene expression but also the gene expression in our children and grandchildren. The theory itself is almost Lamarckian. However, there are a several distinct differences. Lamarck said the inherited change was directly related to the parents stress, atrophy, etc., i.e.
Designer Babies Designing babies is a controversial topic among many people because in some circles it is considered “unethical” or “immoral” or even that we shouldn’t “play god” and that there isn’t anything beneficial to the whole thing. But those people are wrong. Contrary to popular belief, designing babies can prevent many inherited genetic disorders, contribute to a more capable society, and promote a more “happy” society. There is no reasonable reason to not have designer babies and those conservatives are holding all of humanity back from progress and that is not nice. There are genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, or hemophilia that plague the world and the people in our lives.