A study of twins was conducted to determine the presence of an hereditary component in short term memory and in three aspects of verbal divergent thinking--flexibility, fluency, and originality. Results showed the existence of a significant genetic component in the trait of short term memory, while none was found in verbal divergent thinking. (AG)

Seventeen sets of opposite sex twins, 13 to 14 months old, were observed in a playroom situation with their mothers. Attachment behaviors, toy preference, style of play, and activity level were recorded. Analysis of four attachment behaviors indicated that girls looked at, vocalized to, and maintained proximity with their mothers significantly…

The language development of monozygotic twins, same-sex dizygotic twins, siblings of monozygotic twins, and siblings of dizygotic twins, ages 3-17, was studied to estimate how much of the individual variation in children's language skills results from genetic factors and how much from environmental experience. (BRT)

Discusses observations of sets of infant twins, aged 6 to 24 months, as they interacted with one another and with an unfamiliar peer. Assesses quality of infant-mother attachment. Finds twins are more likely to react with one another than with a peer. Results are discussed in relation to early peer relationships and attachment. (Author/RWB)

An alternative way of studying group differences is proposed based on ordering analysis using item hierarchies as a basis of comparison between two groups. Subjects were sets of twins in elementary school. Results showed that blacks and whites and males and females had similar item hierarchies for complex items. (Author/LMO)

To demonstrate the value of behavioral genetic analysis for developing social theory, the origins of delinquent behavior were studied in 265 pairs of twins. Results show that causal sequences leading to delinquency are traceable to individual differences in genes. These findings, however, do not make sociological research irrelevant. (KH)

The background research on learning styles spans several decades, though much of it is quantitative data obtained using survey methods. Similarly, the research involving twins and their unique genetic condition historically predates the interest and knowledge of learning styles. This study seeks to explore both of these areas with the objective of…

Notes both teacher's and parents' concerns over placing twin boys in the same early childhood classroom. Offers suggestions for teachers and parents to foster each child's independence and character traits without the trauma of placing them in separate environments. (HTH)

Language development was studied in 310 pairs of 4-year-old twins. Rotated factor analyses indicated presence of a general language factor (L) and a general nonverbal factor (NV). Moderate genetic influence was found for L and NV abilities. Bivariate genetic analysis estimated a genetic correlation of .63 between L and NV abilities. Results…

Examines conversational interaction in mother-twin-twin triads during play. Findings, paralleling those for mother-infant-sibling triads, reveal that these conversations are five times longer and elicit more turns from all speakers than dyadic conversations between a mother and a single twin and that the unique effects of triadic exchanges are not…

This study examined the power of nonshared environment to differentiate adolescent monozygotic twin development and the extent to which this power varied across social structural contexts. Findings indicated that differences in maternal closeness, teacher bonding, and religious participation differentiated twins on emotional distress. Family…

A twin study involving 808 children with reading disability (RD) and 455 children with phonological disorder (PD) found each were heritable on their own. Further, even when correcting for RD, the two disorders were found to be co-heritable, indicating co-familiarity is at least partially driven by genetic influences. (Contains references.)…

Word recognition data from identical and fraternal twins and siblings (N=172) indicated that the phonological coding deficit of children with reading disabilities was highly heritable. Orthographic coding was not significantly heritable. Poor readers with low IQs were superior to similar reading but average IQ readers in phonological coding.…

This study of 707 sibling pairs, 10- to 18-years-old, examined parent-child and sibling interactions to determine the effects of genetics on family environment. The sample included identical and fraternal twins and full siblings in nondivorced families, as well as full, half, and unrelated siblings in divorced families. Found significant genetic…

Reviews the controversy surrounding the work of Cyril Burt on the genetic contribution to mental ability and argues that the disparagement of Burt's results provides one of the most extraordinary cases of counterfeit charges in academic psychology. Suggesting genetic differences in brain size or intellect is politically incorrect. (SLD)