How do studies of twins help us to understand the genetics behind psychology?

There are two types of twins identical and fraternal. Identical twins develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two and that are genetically identical; these must only be same sex gender twins. Fraternal twins develop from separate eggs and are no more genetically no more similar than ordinary brothers and sisters, this type can be both a boy and a girl twins. The question is whether or not identical twins are clones of one another, behaviorally more similar than fraternal twins. Twinning rates vary by race, Caucasians is roughly twice that of Asians and half that of Africans. These twin studies have shown that if one fraternal twin grows up and gets a divorce, the other has a 1.6 percent chance that they too will get a divorce. If one identical twin grows up and gets a divorce the odds of the other also getting a divorce goes up to 5.5percent. The twins’ studies try to show that fraternal twins are not a closely bonded and similar as identical twins. Scientists try to prove that identical twins are almost the exact same person.

Explain how evolution plays a role in Psychology.

The evolutionary explanation is that while a woman incubates and nurses one infant, a male can spread his genes through other females. Our natural yearnings are our genes’ way of reproducing themselves. Evolutionary psychologists say that men who are attracted top healthy, fertile appearing women, women with smooth skin and a youthful shape have better chance of sending their genes into the future. Evolutionary psychologists are not surprised that each sex tends to advertise the qualities that maximize its odds of attracting desirable partners: women spend money to make sure they look good and men try to establish their status and dominance. Psychologists say that nature selects behaviors that increase the likelihood of sending one’s genes into the future. Evolution is any process of formation or growth or development, and it pertains to psychology because both men and women always grow and change the way that they act as well as the differences between everyone.

How does technology play a role in helping us to understand the brain and its functions better?

Over the years technology has been advancing greatly and creating a whole new learning tool for people around the world. For example, in the medical field the CT scan has been created and this examines the brain by taking x-ray photos that can reveal brain damage. Also, MRI’s allows scans have been created as well as PET scans. Each of these new scans and medical discoveries helps both scientists and doctors to focus on the brain and further their studies. All of these technological advancements have allowed studying the brain to become much simpler.

Do you believe that natural selection is a plausible theory when it comes to how humans have developed over time?

The overall pint of natural selection was that the strongest will survive in the end. Since the beginning of time people who have been the most strong and most healthy have had a better chance at surviving, thus meaning these people had children that were also strong and healthy.  Based off the past it is evident that people born with life threatening diseases have a smaller chance of living a long life, therefore there are less people with that disease. Natural Selection is indeed a plausible theory when it comes to how humans have developed because human have come a long way since the beginning of time, and had they been weak and very ill, they probably would have died and never reproduced.

Lauren Lountzis (Pd 7)