The birth of twins in the world has always been a source of curiosity and wonder for humans. Two living beings who have different bodies but have an extraordinary similarity in their style, habits, and thinking have always been a mystery to both science and psychology. Especially those twins who have exactly the same appearance their behavior patterns are quite similar to each other.
The question arises about the identical twins' Behavior: Is it Nature or nurture? Which is caused by genetic similarity, or is it the result of upbringing and environment, which makes their behavior similar from childhood?
When a mother gives birth to twins, it is not just a moment of joy but also a glimpse of a unique secret of nature. Two creatures that are apparently separate but have a strange relationship between them. This relationship has always been a source of curiosity for humans. People often ask twins:
Do you feel each other's pain?
Have you ever taken each other's place?
These questions have been puzzling the human mind for centuries. You have not only heard about twins in fairy tales, but you have also seen various films, novels, and songs in which the mutual harmony and resemblance of twins are presented in a magical way. But now all these are no longer just stories; rather, today's scientific research has also proven that twins really do have a special kind of mental and physical compatibility. And for people who ask the question of identical twins' behavior: Is it nature or nurture? Science has explained it in an easy way.
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Difference between identical and non-identical twins.
Identical and non-identical twins What's the difference?
Twins may look identical, but they actually develop in two different ways.
The first type is identical twins (also called monozygotic), which are formed when a single egg from the mother is fertilized by a single sperm and then splits into two. These babies are genetically completely identical, are always the same sex, and have an exact copy of each other. This high degree of genetic similarity is what makes their behavior, personalities, and characteristics so fascinating to scientists asking if their development is purely nature or heavily influenced by nurture.
The second type is fraternal twins (also called dizygotic), which are formed when two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm inside the mother and develop at the same time. These babies are actually like normal siblings who were born together by chance; their genetic material is only 50% the same, they may also be of different sexes, and they are not necessarily identical in appearance, habits, and mental abilities like identical twins.
Identical Twins: Nature's Amazing Sameness
Identical twins are born when a single sperm and an egg combine to form a zygote. Usually, this zygote produces a single baby, but sometimes, naturally, the zygote splits and becomes two separate embryos.
This is the moment when two children with identical genetic traits begin to be born in the womb of a mother. Since they both come from the same sperm and egg, their genes, DNA, blood type, and physical structure are almost 100 percent identical.
This genetic similarity makes them look amazingly similar. Their facial features, nose structure, eye color, hair type, voice, and even their smile are similar. Often, even parents or close relatives do not initially recognize which twin is which.
This is why identical twins are of the greatest importance for scientific research. Because through them it is easy to understand how much influence genetics have on human personality, temperament, and behavior and to what extent the environment plays a role.
Interestingly, identical twins are always of the same sex; that is, either both will be boys or both will be girls. This is because both are made up of the same genetic material.
According to statistics, out of every thousand births in the world, only three or four twin pregnancies occur in which the children are identical. This ratio is very low compared to other phenomena of nature, which is why identical twins are called a rare gift of nature.
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monozygotic Identical Twins
Fraternal Twins: A Diverse Combination of Genetics
The second type is fraternal twins. Their birth process is completely different.
This is possible when two separate eggs are released from a woman’s body at the same time and both are fertilized by different sperm. As a result, two different embryos begin to form in the mother’s womb at the same time.
These two children are genetically related to each other like normal siblings, meaning they only share about 50 percent of their genes. This is why they do not have as much similarity in appearance or habits as identical twins.
Fraternal twins are often of different sexes, for example, a boy and a girl. They may have different eye color, height, hair texture, or skin color. Sometimes, people do not even realize that they are twins because they have very little outward resemblance.
This type is relatively more common. About 75 percent of twin pregnancies worldwide are non-identical twins, while the remaining 25 percent are identical twins.
How do genetic differences manifest themselves?
Since identical twins share the same DNA, they tend to share similar genetic traits, physical characteristics, and mental abilities.
For example, if one identical twin has allergies, vision problems, or diabetes, the other is more likely to have the same disease.
In contrast, since non-identical twins share different genetic makeup, they may have distinct differences in diseases or physical characteristics.
One may be healthy while the other is weak, one may be more intelligent while the other is relatively less so.
Why do identical twins not only look alike in appearance, but their habits, temperament, likes and dislikes, and even their way of thinking are surprisingly similar.
This is not just a coincidence, but because of their genetic similarity. The neural network of their brains is almost the same, which is why their feelings and reactions are also similar.
This similarity becomes even deeper when they grow up in the same home. Both eat the same food, live in the same environment, meet the same people, and as a result, similar habits are strengthened within them.
However, if the same identical twins are raised in different homes, some differences will definitely arise over time, but their basic tendencies, thinking patterns, and temperament still remain the same.
Interesting facts that common people do not know
Blood type:
The blood type of identical twins is always the same, while that of non-identical twins may be different.
Fingerprints:
Surprisingly, identical twins have the same genes, but their fingerprints are always different. This difference is caused by minor environmental changes in the mother's womb.
Temperature and personality:
Often, one of the identical twins is more energetic and the other is relatively calm. According to science, this difference is not genetic, but arises from differences in upbringing and experiences.
Twin brain synchronization:
The brain waves of identical twins often show similar activity. This is why they often understand each other without speaking.
Scientific importance of twins
Twins are a valuable treasure for science. Psychologists and geneticists use twins as a natural laboratory to understand human personality and behavior. Research on them helps to find out whether a person's characteristics, habits, or tendencies are more influenced by nature or nurture.
American psychologist and genetic researcher Professor Nancy Siegel says that twins give us the opportunity to understand how deep genetic influences are on intelligence, athletic ability, religious inclination, emotional reactions, and personality.
Research has shown that identical twins are much more similar physically and mentally than non-identical twins. This is a sign that genes play a fundamental role in shaping human behavior and temperament.
Professor Siegel studied twins who did not grow up together for many years. Surprisingly, twins who grew up in different homes and environments were found to have remarkable similarities in their habits, likes and dislikes, and even their way of thinking.
The Amazing Secrets of Twin Brothers: The Story of Zaheer and Shabbir
To better understand the extraordinary similarities in the lives and habits of twins, I met identical twin brothers, Zaheer and Shabbir, whose personal experiences reveal the magic of twin bonding and fully support the scientific facts described in our post.
Perfect Physical Mirror:
The physical similarity between these two brothers is so profound that it is difficult to compare them. Their facial structure, way of smiling, hair color and style, and even the way they speak are completely the same. This similarity is to the extent that Zaheer once took over Shabbir's duty in his place, which proves their 100% similarity in appearance.
Mental Synchronization and Health Compatibility:
More surprising than their outward similarity is their mental synchronization. Zaheer said that many times when he intends to do something, Shabbir also has the exact same intention. Many of their habits and hobbies are quite similar, such as their favorite color is blue and they both love to eat okra. There is also a similarity in health matters, that is, if one brother has a cold, the other also gets it a few days later. All these coincidences point to their shared genetic material. An amazing coincidence is that the number of children of both brothers is also the same.
Combination of genetics and individuality:
Although they have so much in common, there are also individual aspects in them, which show that the role of environment and individual experience (nurture) is also important. For example, there is a slight difference in food preferences, where Zaheer likes broiler but Shabbir does not. All these observations prove the strength of genetic compatibility and the persistence of individual personality at the same time.
Look around!
These secrets of twin bonding are not limited to books. If you also have identical twin brothers or sisters around you, then look around! Talk to them and see if they share the same amazing habits, hobbies, or ways of thinking. Have they had any similar health or coincidences? Your personal observations can also be a new and important link in understanding this scientific mystery of twinning.
Alike Despite Being Separated: Amazing True Stories
A fascinating case in the research of Professor Nancy Siegel was that of Ann Hunt and Elizabeth Hamel. These two sisters were separated shortly after birth and could not see each other for 78 years. Surprisingly, when they met again at that age, their personalities, habits, and even aspects of marital life turned out to be surprisingly similar.
It may be a coincidence that their husbands had the same name, but it could also be evidence of their shared views. Both had the same household routines and interests. This study shocked experts around the world about how deep genetic influences can be.
Similarly, the story of the Jim Twins from the US state of Minnesota also became famous worldwide. These two were separated at birth, but when they met 39 years later, their lives were found to be surprisingly similar.
Both married a woman named Linda; after the divorce, both remarried a woman named Betty; both had sons named James Allen; both had pet dogs named Toy; both bit their nails, and both went on vacation to the same beach. Such examples reinforce the fact that genetics have an imperceptible influence on human psychology, habits, and decisions.
Do twins really feel each other's pain?
It’s a common belief that if one twin gets hurt, the other will also feel it. Many people think it’s a coincidence, but science has proven this theory to some extent.
According to research conducted at the University of Edinburgh, a study of nearly 800 pairs of twins found that identical twins’ brains are so closely connected that they can unconsciously feel each other’s emotions or pain.
For example, if one twin has an accident, the other twin feels pain and swelling in the same place without any physical damage. This phenomenon shows that the signals coming from the twins’ nerves and brains are deeply connected.
But when I spoke to Zaheer and Shabbir about whether they can feel each other’s pain, they said, “No, it’s possible, it might not happen to them, but it could happen to the other twin.”
This is a fact that was previously considered merely a spiritual connection but has now been partially recognized on scientific grounds.
Chances of Twin Births: Scientific Reasons
The birth of twins is an uncommon but increasing trend worldwide. Science has identified several reasons behind it, which include biological, genetic, and environmental factors.
Body Mass Index (BMI):
Women with a BMI of more than 30 have an increased chance of having twins because such a body is more likely to release more than one egg at a time.
Family History:
If twins were born in the mother's or grandmother's generation, the chances of this trend continuing in the next generation increase by 60%.
Age:
Women aged thirty years and above are more likely to have twins due to changes in hormone balance.
Body Structure:
According to some studies, tall and obese women have a lower chance of having twins, while women of low weight or average height have a higher chance.
Ethnic Differences:
The rate of twins is highest in African countries, while it is lowest in Asian countries.
IVF and modern medical methods:
Modern reproductive techniques such as IVF, ICSI, and artificial insemination have significantly increased the rate of twins. In these methods, more than one egg is fertilized at a time, which increases the chances of having two or more children.
According to research, about 1.6 million twins are born in the world every year. One in every 42 babies is a twin.
Risks and Medical Aspects of Twin Pregnancy
Although twins are a source of joy, this pregnancy is more delicate from a medical perspective. In such a pregnancy, the mother may face problems such as high blood pressure, anemia, diabetes, premature birth, and low birth weight babies.
According to Dr. Rubina Bashir, fertility drugs or injections can release more than one egg, which makes the birth of twins or triplets possible, but this can prove dangerous for the health of the mother. Such pregnant women need constant medical supervision and complete rest.
Genetics vs. Environment The Formation of Human Personality
Twin research has revived an old philosophical debate: is human personality shaped by nature or by environment?
Experts say the truth is a combination of both. Genes determine the basic makeup of a person, while the environment enhances or changes it.
Professor Nancy Siegel says:
People often think that our environment shapes us, but this thinking is also one-sided. Identical Twins' Behavior: Is It Nature or Nurture?.
Science has solved this question in a very simple way.
That is, what a person becomes is a beautiful combination of both his genes and experiences.
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