twin studies Flashcards
A01
- twin studies allow us todetermine whether a condition is developed due to nature, bio o nature, enviro causes
use MZ, monogyzotic twins which share 100% DNA and DZ dyogyzotic which share 50% DNA
concordance rates, level of agreement helps us determine nature/ nurture, expressed as a percentage
if the concordance rate is higher for MZ then we would say due to genetics because they share 100% DNA
if similar, due to enviro as both share same environment DZ
twin studies are often longitudinal, studied from birth and can use primary and secondary data, e.g. interviews/ hospital records
A03.1
strength: produced quantitative at a, concordance is expressed as a % therefore findings do not include any researcher bias meaning we can clearly undertsand the role of genetics or the environment on a condition increasing validity and credibility
weakness: although lacks gen, only 1.5% of births are twins and 0.5 % MZ twins therefore not representative of a wider range of individuals may be some other genetic difference in twins unaware about, may not be the same as non twin humans…
A03.2
although MZ and DZ twins differ in the level of genetics they share, they both share the same environment giving us natural control over the environment therefore we can be sure that any differences in concordance is due to genes not differences in environment increasing validity of findings, Clearer cause and effect
weakness: although commonly in twin studies, allocation of twins into MZ/ DZ lacks reliability and validity, gottesman and shields, allocated based on blood tests and finger prints and brendgen allocated 50% of sample with DNA testing but the other half based on appearance, this could lead to inaccuracy’s in allocation making results invalid.
application
although, twin studies are very useful to society and research as it allows us to undertand the cause of conditions and create prevention and treatment plans. such as SZ which is known to have a genetic influence although the gene can be triggered by environmental factors such as drug and alcohol abuse therefore preventing social stressors can potentially prevent someone from triggering onset of SZ improving quality of life for individuals as well as protectiong society.
