Twins…?
Did anybody watch Insight on SBS this evening? The topic of discussion was about twins, and there were many pairs of twins in the studio audience commenting on their experiences as twins. Some wanted to remain the same, others wanted to be as different as possible. There was also considerable discussion about the contribution that twin research has about our understanding of the differential contribution of genes and the environment on a variety of different things, such as illnesses, preferences and behaviours.
There was a pair that was incredibly similar, they almost spoke at the same time, they lived together, they were both single and in their 30s I think. They dreamt of marrying twins, living next to each other - living very close lives, and they wouldn’t be able to survive without the other. On the other hand, there were twins that were different. They chose to wear different clothes, chose husbands that were really different and tried to live separate lives. If they saw their twin doing one thing, they would do something else.
The twins also spoke of similar health issues, ‘telepathy’, experiences as children - there were a variety of topics. In my view and from things I have learnt in psychology, I really don’t think there is such a thing as feeling what the other twin is feeling from a distance. Like one of the twin researchers in the audience, there is no doubt that these similarities / coincidences happen, however, they are more likely to be remembered and reported than instances in which there weren’t similar experiences.
As to having similar preferences, hobbies, favourite things - as another of the twin researchers commented, it is not surprising that two people who are so close to each other, live together, have grown up experiencing exactly the same things in their environment, being exposed to the same things in one’s environment - that they would react or respond in the same way to things that happen. For example, if a pair of twins grew up watching the same TV shows, it is likely that if something that reminded them of that TV show later in life, they would react in the same way - they would both like similar kinds of shows, laugh to similar kinds of things, frown at similar topics and make decisions about their TV watching preferences in similar ways.
What is interesting is the research with fraternal twins - those that are not identical, especially if they are the same sex. Their genes would not be the same, but their environment would be pretty much the same. Same age, it is likely that they would have similar experiences at home, go through the same world experiences, such as do certain exams at the same time, experience certain kinds of people at the same time, eat the same kinds of foods, etc. Sometimes the similarities observed in these cases are due to a shared environment, but not shared genes.
The most interesting kind of twin research is that of identical twins reared apart. They have the same genes, but are raised in separate environments. What is fascinating is that often they would end up pretty similar. Preferences, type of husband, type of career, etc. I guess genes are quite powerful. This is also shown in lots of research looking at the heritability of certain illnesses, intelligence, and even religous preference. It is only in these studies of identical twins reared apart and non-identical twins reared together that we can get a clear picture regarding the differential contribution of genes and environment. It is also through these studies that the non-twin world can benefit in areas such as medicine, social behaviour, the capacity to see 3D, or even food preferences.
Reflecting on my 22 years with my identical twin sister Grace, it is clear that we’ve grown apart. My parents commented after the television program that they treat us two very separate individuals. My sister commented that she treats my just like a sister, not an identical twin. However, it has not always been like this. Up until year 6, we were in the same class every single year except one, we shared a room, watched the same shows, dressed the same (or a different colour but same style), we had the same favourite foods, liked the same things and hated the same things. Once twins are separated and they are exposed to different experiences, it is at these times each twin experiences something that the other does not, and has the opportunity to develop different preferences, tastes, ways of thinking, critical thinking that the other has not considered. This can have two effects. The pair can still get back together and share about their day, and all that they saw, what they thought of it, etc. In this way, they can still keep their ‘twinness’ and respond similarly to the environment. However, if they don’t have the opportunity to ‘report back’ to each other, then it is just like two human beings being exposed to different experiences in life - naturally, those experiences will shape the way you behave and think later on, and the decisions you’ll make.
A clear example is when I was in year 10 and my friend spoke to me about Psychology and the possibility of studying it in the future. My sister didn’t have this experience. I gradually began to notice things about myself that seemed to suggest that I would be good at something like counselling, and I began to notice other people’s behaviour and feelings, whereas my sister didn’t have this input. Gradually, these experiences shaped the way I thought about people and objects and shaped the decisions I made later about the way I myself behaved before others. The difference in experience shaped the way we both chose university courses later on which has led to things today - me, studying a masters in clinical psychology, and my sister, working as a junior business analyst.
Socially, being put in different classes really makes a difference to how you cope. Once you are separated, each twin must ‘fend for themselves’ and survive without depending on the other for comfort, reassurance and the confidence that you are not alone in trying something new. Once the two begin to have different kinds of friends, it really shapes each twin’s own experience, how they relate to others socially, how they relate to boys, etc.
As I think about the pair of twins that said that they don’t mind being single as they have each other - this is understandable since they have not experience much time apart to experience different things and hence see the world differently to each other. As they are exposed to the same things and do everything together, it is not surprising that they will not feel a need to separate or want to separate, because neither has experience life without the other to be able to form a difference in preference or taste. Neither has tasted the benefits of being separate, or even if they have, they had the opportunity to ‘report back’ and the experience apart did not outweigh the time they spend together.
All in all, I reckon that if my sister and I were reared apart, we would probably end up more the same than we are now. We would probably develop our natural interests and not feel pressured to do something different to each other. We would probably like a similar type of guy (unlike now), follow the same career path, like the same type of food, car, hobbies, etc. Some might say that it’s unnatural and unhealthy that we have made decisions in reaction to each other, only to be ‘different to her’, however, I think that it is only natural that once you experience different situations and people in your life, those things will shape your likes and dislikes - just like any non-twin. In some ways, it is not unnatural, because that’s just what you have experienced and it inevitably shapes the way you are.
Well, that’s some thoughts on being a twin. Any comments?