A3 Sketchbook
A5 SketchbookWednesday 28 September 2011
Wednesday 14 September 2011
Monday 12 September 2011
Rachael's Graduation
Rachael graduated from Northumbria Uni this year with a 2:1 in her Forensic Science degree. She is now going on to do her MSci. She is one of the smartest people I know.
I cried.
Thursday 8 September 2011
Why Are Identical Twins Different?: Studies Explain the Differences In Twins With Supposedly Matching Genes
The stereotype of identical twins is that they are exactly alike: they look alike, they dress in matching outfits, they share the same likes and dislikes. Parents of identical twins know differently, however. Despite their shared genetic component, identical multiples are unique individuals. Though they do share similarities, they also have many differences.
For example, my own children have always exhibited about a twenty-five percent difference in their weight. When they were newborns, weighing four and five pounds, it was quite obvious. At other times as they've grown up, it's not noticeable. We have confirmed that they are indeed identical twins, yet people are often sceptical because they don't "look" alike.
They don't act alike either. One likes to dance; the other likes to play basketball. Certainly, we encourage them to pursue their individual interests, abut the initial inclination towards these activities were all their own.
This is one of the first pieces I have read on twins that begins by stating identical twins individuality, rather than their similarities. This instantly makes me feel comfortable with the author, and I appreciate their out look. I also feel there is a less science based background to the person as in the other books I have read, there is a very obvious outsider view, all based on facts and science rather than personal opinion or experience.
While identical twins form with the same set of genes, human development is not just genetic. The environment also has an impact. So, beginning in the early environment of the womb, external influences can change the appearance of twins. For example, some monozygotic twins share a placenta. One twin may have a more advantageous connection to the placenta, receiving the first run of nutrients. This situation can cause a size discrepancy between the babies, a physical difference that continues as they grow up. While most twins grow up in the same home environment, there are many circumstances that create differences in the childrens' appearances, personalities, and interests. As the twins approach the teen years, they may even seek to establish dissimilar qualities in order to establish individual identities.
This extract is precise and straight to the point. In the womb, I took most of the nutrition, resulting in me being much larger than Rachael. As a result, I have always remained taller and wider than her. It is also true to say that as we grow older, we look less alike and definitely have different personalities.
Scientists have offered a new explanation for the differences between identical twins. Epigenome refers to natural chemical modifications within a person's genome (genetic material). As an article in the New York Times explains, they "act on a gene like a gas pedal or a brake, marking it for higher or lower activity."
A study conducted by a team of researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Center in Madrid
Although I am not scientifically minded, I find this information interesting. Again, I can say I do believe that as we grow older, Rachael and I become more and more different, but this has never affected our close bond.
Prindle Fierro, P (2011) Why Are Identical Twins Different?: Studies Explain the Differences In Twins With Supposedly Matching Genes. Available at: <http://multiples.about.com/od/funfacts/a/differenttwins.htm> [Accessed 7th Sept 2011]
Twin Studies
Study 1 - Attachment
Figure 9.1 Intrapair relationships attachment to each other - monozygotic twin boys, 10 months. Their father is with them. Proximity seeking behaviour is very evident.
Top Left: They kiss each other and hold bands.
Top Right: Twin 1 is all over Twin 2's body. Twin 2 holds his brother's arm and touches his head.
Bottom Left: Twin 1 approaches, touches and kisses twin 2, who seems slightly more distant. However, Twin 2 does not protest or move away and touches his brother's arm.
Bottom Right: Twin 1 puts his arm around his brother's shoulder while looking directly at him. Twin 2 puts his hand inside his brother's mouth while looking down. Their father strokes Twin 2's head.
In none of the pictures do the twins turn around to look at their father.
I really love this study. It really shows the powerful connection between twins, even at the young age of 10 months. The fact the pair are completely immersed in each other, and are uninterested in everyone else around them (including their own father), is a great example of twinship. Rachael and I always had each other, no matter who else was or wasn't around.
Study 2 - Dominance
Figure 9.7 Dominance - monozygotic twin girls, 2 years 6 months. Dominance in this case was fostered by maternal preference.
Top: The non-favoured twin is sucking a lollipop. The dominant one grabs it.
Middle: The lollipop is now in the mouth of the dominant sister. The other does not rebel or protest.
Bottom: The dominant twin continues to suck the lollipop. Her sister turns away without protesting.
20 seconds into my own home video, Toddlin' On, is an almost exact re-enactment of this study. I, being the dominant twin, take Rachael's dummy. She tries for a few seconds to get it back, but quickly loses interest and accepts that she no longer has it. However, I know that I was not a favoured twin, we were both treated equally, and my dominance came from the fact I was bigger.
Study 3 - Imitation
Figure 9.2 Imitation - monozygotic twin boys, 2 years
Top Left: Twin 1 is cleaning the wall and so is Twin 2.
Top Right: Twin 1 moves to clean another surface and Twin 2 follows him.
Middle Left: Twin 2 cleans their plastic slide and so does Twin 1.
Middle Right: Twin 1 has now climbed onto a small table and Twin 2 is climbing onto an identical one.
Bottom Left: Twin 1 cleans his mother's shoes and Twin 2 approaches him.
Bottom Right: Twin 1 has left, but Twin 2 imitates what his co-twin has just done. He cleans his mother's shoes.
Again, one of my own home videos resembles this study. In Keyboard Queen, 1994 I am playing my brother's keyboard and because I am playing, Rachael automatically wants to join in. I play a song, she then wants to play the same song again. However, I am once again the dominating twin, telling her off for doing it wrong and showing her what to do. Rachael does not object and does as she has been told. There are numerous other examples of imitation from our youth in which I would do something, and Rachael would follow.
Study 4 - The Magic Bond
To begin with (and sometimes from then on) certain twins did not react well to mutual physical proximity. Being put next to each other seemed to have little or no significance at this point. Often parents were actually surprised and disappointed by the scarcity or even total absence of interactions between their newborn twins. Many, in order to re-create their union within the womb and to offer them some form of comfort, put them in the same cot only to have them cry in protest over the apparent lack of space. When placed together, most twins lay in distant corners of their cradle and showed signs of irritation at any stimulation originating from the other twin. Dizygotic twins in particular seemed quite disturbed by the vicinity of another baby. Parents of dizygotic twins were on the whole less tenacious in their attempts at reunion, and dizygotic twins were more persistent in their rebellion. Most monozygotic twins, however, quickly adapted to their parent's insistence on putting them next to each other and began to find comfort in the proximity of their co-twin. Monozygotic twins seemed especially 'compatible'.
As babies, Rachael and I had seperate cots. However, when my mam rearrange the furniture, putting us back to back, we screamed until we were returned to being put side by side. Although we did not share a bed, if we could not see or touch each other, we became distressed.
Top Left: They kiss each other and hold bands.
Top Right: Twin 1 is all over Twin 2's body. Twin 2 holds his brother's arm and touches his head.
Bottom Left: Twin 1 approaches, touches and kisses twin 2, who seems slightly more distant. However, Twin 2 does not protest or move away and touches his brother's arm.
Bottom Right: Twin 1 puts his arm around his brother's shoulder while looking directly at him. Twin 2 puts his hand inside his brother's mouth while looking down. Their father strokes Twin 2's head.
In none of the pictures do the twins turn around to look at their father.
I really love this study. It really shows the powerful connection between twins, even at the young age of 10 months. The fact the pair are completely immersed in each other, and are uninterested in everyone else around them (including their own father), is a great example of twinship. Rachael and I always had each other, no matter who else was or wasn't around.
Study 2 - Dominance
Figure 9.7 Dominance - monozygotic twin girls, 2 years 6 months. Dominance in this case was fostered by maternal preference.
Top: The non-favoured twin is sucking a lollipop. The dominant one grabs it.
Middle: The lollipop is now in the mouth of the dominant sister. The other does not rebel or protest.
Bottom: The dominant twin continues to suck the lollipop. Her sister turns away without protesting.
20 seconds into my own home video, Toddlin' On, is an almost exact re-enactment of this study. I, being the dominant twin, take Rachael's dummy. She tries for a few seconds to get it back, but quickly loses interest and accepts that she no longer has it. However, I know that I was not a favoured twin, we were both treated equally, and my dominance came from the fact I was bigger.
Study 3 - Imitation
Figure 9.2 Imitation - monozygotic twin boys, 2 years
Top Left: Twin 1 is cleaning the wall and so is Twin 2.
Top Right: Twin 1 moves to clean another surface and Twin 2 follows him.
Middle Left: Twin 2 cleans their plastic slide and so does Twin 1.
Middle Right: Twin 1 has now climbed onto a small table and Twin 2 is climbing onto an identical one.
Bottom Left: Twin 1 cleans his mother's shoes and Twin 2 approaches him.
Bottom Right: Twin 1 has left, but Twin 2 imitates what his co-twin has just done. He cleans his mother's shoes.
Again, one of my own home videos resembles this study. In Keyboard Queen, 1994 I am playing my brother's keyboard and because I am playing, Rachael automatically wants to join in. I play a song, she then wants to play the same song again. However, I am once again the dominating twin, telling her off for doing it wrong and showing her what to do. Rachael does not object and does as she has been told. There are numerous other examples of imitation from our youth in which I would do something, and Rachael would follow.
Study 4 - The Magic Bond
To begin with (and sometimes from then on) certain twins did not react well to mutual physical proximity. Being put next to each other seemed to have little or no significance at this point. Often parents were actually surprised and disappointed by the scarcity or even total absence of interactions between their newborn twins. Many, in order to re-create their union within the womb and to offer them some form of comfort, put them in the same cot only to have them cry in protest over the apparent lack of space. When placed together, most twins lay in distant corners of their cradle and showed signs of irritation at any stimulation originating from the other twin. Dizygotic twins in particular seemed quite disturbed by the vicinity of another baby. Parents of dizygotic twins were on the whole less tenacious in their attempts at reunion, and dizygotic twins were more persistent in their rebellion. Most monozygotic twins, however, quickly adapted to their parent's insistence on putting them next to each other and began to find comfort in the proximity of their co-twin. Monozygotic twins seemed especially 'compatible'.
As babies, Rachael and I had seperate cots. However, when my mam rearrange the furniture, putting us back to back, we screamed until we were returned to being put side by side. Although we did not share a bed, if we could not see or touch each other, we became distressed.
Alessandra Piontelli (2002) Twins: From Fetus to Child. New York: Routledge. pp. 93, 119, 122 & 129.
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