Twin & Adoption

• What is the primary purpose of twin studies and adoption studies in psychology?

  Investigate nature and nurture
• Nature in twin studies refers to biological causes of behaviour, influenced by inherited genes
• What does nurture refer to in the context of twin studies and adoption studies?

  Environmental causes of behaviour
• Twin studies investigate the role of nature, while adoption studies investigate the role of nurture
• Adoption studies and twin studies are always natural experiments
• Why are twin studies and adoption studies considered natural experiments?

  The IV is naturally-occurring
• What is the focus of adoption studies in psychological research?

  Impact of nurture
• If an adopted child shares traits with their adoptive parents, this suggests the trait is influenced by nurture
• Adoption studies are more valid if researchers have information about the child's biological parents
• How is intelligence investigated in adoption studies?

  Comparing IQ scores
• If an adopted child's IQ resembles their adoptive parents', this suggests intelligence is influenced by nurture
• Adoption studies often involve twins

  False
• What technique is commonly used to measure adoption studies?

  Correlational
• Order the steps involved in conducting an adoption study

  1️⃣ Identify adopted children and their adoptive families

  2️⃣ Gather information about biological parents

  3️⃣ Measure traits or behaviors

  4️⃣ Analyze correlations
• What are twin studies and adoption studies used for?

  To investigate the effects of nature (biological causes) and nurture (environmental causes) on behavior.
• What does 'nature' refer to in the context of behavior studies?

  Biological causes for behavior, specifically the influence of inherited genes from biological parents.
• What does 'nurture' refer to in the context of behavior studies?

  Environmental causes of behavior, emphasizing the importance of upbringing regardless of biological parentage.
• How do twin studies and adoption studies differ in their focus?

  Twin studies investigate the role of nature (genes), while adoption studies investigate the role of nurture (upbringing).
• Why are adoption studies considered natural experiments?

  Because the independent variable (biological relation to parents) is a naturally occurring variable that cannot be manipulated.
• What is the significance of having information about a child's biological parents in adoption studies?

  It strengthens the validity of the study by allowing researchers to compare traits between the adoptive and biological parents.
• What conclusion can be drawn if an adopted child shares traits with their adoptive parents?

  It suggests that those traits are likely produced by nurture rather than nature.
• Adopted children may not be representative of other children due to tragic circumstances or separations
• What does it imply if an adopted child's IQ resembles that of their biological parents more than their adoptive parents?


  It suggests that nurture may not have a strong influence on intelligence.
• What is a common misconception about adoption studies?

  That they involve twins, where one twin has been adopted; in reality, adoption studies typically do not involve twins.
• What method do researchers usually use in adoption studies?

  A correlational technique to look for correlations between the behavior of adopted children and their adoptive parents.
• What is a potential issue with the generalizability of adoption studies?

  Adopted children may not be representative of the general population due to their unique backgrounds and circumstances.
• Who argued that children are negatively affected by separation from their mother during infancy?

  Child Psychologist John Bowlby.
• What challenges do psychologists face in recruiting participants for adoption studies?

  They must be opportunistic, as adoptions are handled by charities or state agencies.
• What does the term 'critical period' refer to in the context of child development?

  A specific time during which a child is particularly sensitive to certain environmental stimuli, such as separation from a mother.
• How might the circumstances of an adopted child's separation from biological parents affect study outcomes?

  These circumstances may lead to unique psychological effects that are not representative of all children.
• Which psychologist argued that separation from the mother during infancy has negative effects on children?

  John Bowlby
• Adoption studies may be affected by extraneous variables such as children spending time as orphans
• What example is given to illustrate the concept of nature in adoption studies?

  Harry Potter, who shows magical talent despite being raised by non-magical adoptive parents.
• What can be inferred if an adopted child's traits align more closely with their biological parents than their adoptive parents?

  It suggests that genetic factors (nature) may play a more significant role than environmental factors (nurture).
• What is the primary focus of adoption studies?

  To examine the impact of nurture on children raised by non-biological parents.
• What is the role of the independent variable in twin and adoption studies?

  It is the naturally occurring variable that researchers investigate, such as biological relation.
• Why is it scientifically impossible to manipulate the variables in twin and adoption studies?


  It would be morally wrong to force adoptions or cause twins to be born.
• What is the relationship between adoption studies and the concept of nurture?

  Adoption studies aim to demonstrate how upbringing influences behavior and traits.
• What is the significance of the term 'opportunistic' in the context of recruiting for adoption studies?

  It refers to the need for psychologists to take advantage of available opportunities to recruit participants, as they cannot control the adoption process.
• What are some reasons children may need to be adopted?

  Children may be adopted due to being immigrants, abandoned, or having deceased parents.