Behavioral Genetics Essay

When Ive learned almost Behavioral Genetics in Chapter 8, the first thing that came across my mind was the fantasy of having a twin. Its crazy but it busy my mind for quite some time. What if I had a twin? Would she be like me? Ive everlastingly believed that identical match share the resembling qualities and traits. So I surfed the net and came across Minnesota couple on Family Study (MTFS). Conducted at the University of Minnesota by competent researchers, it is by far the largest twin study in the US.One particular case of the MTFS caught my attention The Jim Twins Study.The correspond were separated four weeks afterward birth to different adoptive parents who live 45 miles apart. Reunited 39 years later, the twins (both named Jim) find nonnatural similarities. This incident, among many others, supports the theories of Behavioral Genetics. It couldnt have been mere coincidence that the twins married twice, left bonk logical arguments to their wives, and even suffered f rom migraine. Because they were raised in different adoptive families, it couldnt have been the environment that shaped the Jim twins to have the same p diagnoseences and behavior, even ailmentsTime magazine cites that in a study of 44 twins reared apart, a high of 61% of what they call social potency (a tendency toward leadership or dominance) is genetical (Leo & Taylor, 1987). The biological aspect of the Jim twins genius has played a great part in the evolution of these resemblances. If I had a twin separated from me at birth, Id like to think that she is compassionate and enjoys music and golf as well as I do. Its in the genes, as they say. However, as much as I believe on Behavioral Genetics, I essential in any case note that the environment also plays a central role in the development of personality.With regards to my own, it is a blend of character and nurture. I compulsion to be a nurse since I was a kid because I want to help people. I always thought its innate in m ethat compassion for other people. solely later on as I learned things in psychology, it made me realize that it could have also been the environment Im living in. I remember my mom taking in triple extra homeless people into our household during the economy spiraled down. I am surrounded by good-natured and compassionate people. Another would be my love for golf and technology.My father does too, and I think he must have influenced me unconsciously to develop these preferences. Now I understand that yes, it might be the genes but likewise, it is the things that I see and observe in my everyday experiences that made the desire to help people a trait in me. Both nature and nurture have been working in me. I believe personality in general is a mix of both genes and environment. Meanwhile, there is this one particular line from Chapter 11 that I need to quote. It goes, A joke is not funny when the forbidden impulse it disguises is not shared, or the disguise is insufficient. It is w ritten technically but gives me a learning I will remember.Sometimes, when we joke most things, we have to make sure that the forbidden impulse must be known and shared by the listener because we might end up either sounding a loser or pain sensation the person concerned. I must also point out one last thing about the controversial Sigmund Freud. Sir Freud, as Ive known him through researches and from the discussion in class, should be given imputable credit for his accomplishments in the field of Psychology.His theories may be controversial but there is no denying that these same thoughts helped shape, in one way or another, modern Psychology. We also have to understand that the controversy tramp his sexually-oriented theories can be justified because the psychological problems of his time (early 20th century) mostly had association to sexuality. From what Ive learned, manifestly most patients who came to him had marital problems of infidelity and sex life. His encounters with these patients perhaps helped shape his theories. It would be very unfair to refer to him as an ancient history well forgotten.In fact, I find it surprisingly evoke to read about his theories that contradict some things I believe in because it opens me up to possibilities and good learning. I even think that the idea of using Freuds theories and techniques in present day will be much useful and less controversial if there is more emphasis on the human personality rather than sexuality. The techniques of psychoanalysis, concepts of ego & id, and life & death drives, among many others are major contributions in the field of Psychology and no matter the controversies and all, we all should be thankful for Sir Freud.