Born Together―Reared Apart: The Landmark Minnesota Twin Study - Hardcover

Segal, Nancy L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0674055462 ISBN 13: 9780674055469

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 2012

Synopsis

The identical “Jim twins” were raised in separate families and met for the first time at age thirty-nine, only to discover that they both suffered tension headaches, bit their fingernails, smoked Salems, enjoyed woodworking, and vacationed on the same Florida beach. This example of the potential power of genetics captured widespread media attention in 1979 and inspired the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart. This landmark investigation into the nature-nurture debate shook the scientific community by demonstrating, across a number of traits, that twins reared separately are as alike as those raised together.

As a postdoctoral fellow and then as assistant director of the Minnesota Study, Nancy L. Segal provides an eagerly anticipated overview of its scientific contributions and their effect on public consciousness. The study’s evidence of genetic influence on individual differences in traits such as personality (50%) and intelligence (70%) overturned conventional ideas about parenting and teaching. Treating children differently and nurturing their inherent talents suddenly seemed to be a fairer approach than treating them all the same. Findings of genetic influence on physiological characteristics such as cardiac and immunologic function have led to more targeted approaches to disease prevention and treatment. And indications of a stronger genetic influence on male than female homosexuality have furthered debate regarding sexual orientation.

About this title

About the Author

Nancy L. Segal is Distinguished Professor in Humanities and Social Sciences and Director of the Twin Studies Center at California State University, Fullerton.

Review

Twins separated at birth are endlessly fascinating and give us some of the best scientific insights into nature and nurture. No one can tell this story better than Nancy Segal, gifted scientist, raconteur, and wise observer of human nature.
--Steven Pinker, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature

This is a vivid and intimate account of one of the classic episodes in the history of the nature-nurture debate by somebody who was part of the team. The Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart made a vital difference, against often entrenched conventional wisdom, to the understanding of human development. Nancy Segal tells the story of the project superbly.
--Matt Ridley, author of Nature via Nurture

Born Together-Reared Apart is a tour-de-force in the history of psychology and twin research. Describing the twins' life stories as well as the scientific data, Segal gives us a compelling account of the findings, implications, and controversies from the world famous Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart. The book will be essential for anyone seriously interested in the genetic and environmental influences affecting human health and behavior.
--Robert Plomin, Professor of Behavioral Genetics, King's College London

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0674055462
• ISBN 13: 9780674055469
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 416