Learning and Growth among Identical Twins
Larsen, S. A., Byrne, B., Little, C. W., Coventry, W. L., Ho, C. S., Olson, R. K., & Stevenson, A. (2019). Identical Genes, Unique Environments: A Qualitative Exploration of Persistent Monozygotic-Twin Discordance in Literacy and Numeracy. Frontiers in Education, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2019.00021
In this article, Larsen et al. analyses the ambiguity that exists in the growth and learning outcomes among identical twins. Identical twins share the same genetic code and grow up in the same family, thereby sharing the same family-based aspect of nature, but still, the majority demonstrate distinguished development in growth and learning. Larsen et al. identified three unique environmental factors that contribute to extreme discordance among monozygotic twins. These included biomedical factors, personal differences, and school factors. Among the personal differences, factors included general personality differences as well as effort and motivation. Class allocation and peer were the school factors identified by Larsen et al. all these factors work in isolation or collaboratively to influence twins’ achievement trajectories.
Ritchie, S. J., Bates, T. C., & Plomin, R. (2014). Does Learning to Read Improve Intelligence? A Longitudinal Multivariate Analysis in Identical Twins From Age 7 to 16. Child Development, 86(1), 23-36. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12272
In this study, Ritchie, Bates & Plomin analyzed whether intelligence difference among monozygotic twins were as a result of environmentally driven differences. They identified that twins with better earlier reading ability had a higher score on general intelligence. Ritchie et al. further observed that magnification of environmental gains occurs over time and influences monozygotic-twins differently, resulting in intelligence difference among them.
Phillips, P. J., Flynn, P. J., Bowyer, K. W., Bruegge, R. W., Grother, P. J., Quinn, G. W., & Pruitt, M. (2011). Distinguishing identical twins by face recognition. Face and Gesture 2011. https://doi.org/10.1109/fg.2011.5771395
Utilizing facial recognition as a means of distinguishing identical has been a persistent problem. In this study, Phillips et al. analyses the possible ways and ideal conditions of utilizing facial recognition to distinguish identical twins. They took into consideration the growth and developments that occur with time in which they performed the experiments twice one year apart. Phillips et al. observed that age is a factor to be considered in utilizing facial recognition in distinguishing identical twins. It is easier to distinguish 40-year-old identical twins than those who are under 40 years old.