Question

What factors might affect how similar or different a pair of identical (monozygotic) twins are? How influential is parenting on children's behavior?

Answer 1

1. Genetic and environmental factors affect how similar and how different a pair of identical (monozygotic) twins are. The similarities are because they are genetically identical. In the case of fraternal twins, they share only half of their genes. Any dissimilarities or differences between identical twins are due to environmental factors.

2. The behaviors and skills that children learn that are necessary for their daily interaction with others are from parents,i.e., from parent socialization. Parents influence their child's behavior directly and indirectly while managing a child's activities. Parents play a significant role in the development of a child's behavior. Positive parenting helps the child in developing optimistic and confidant social behaviors. Healthy parenting also lays the foundation for better academic skills.

3. Genetics influence social attitudes because the attitude is inherited from parents. The components of social attitude, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral, are explicit and implicit. Several studies conducted have found that social attitudes like preferences, values, and beliefs are genetically influenced.