Twin Mythconceptions: False Beliefs, Fables, and Facts about Twins

Twin Mythconceptions: False Beliefs, Fables, and Facts about Twins sheds new light on over 70 commonly held ideas and beliefs about the origins and development of identical and fraternal twins. Using the latest scientific findings from psychology, psychiatry, biology, and education, the book separates fact from fiction. Each idea about twins is described, followed by both a short answer about the truth, and then a longer, more detailed explanation. Coverage includes embryology of twins, twin types, intellectual growth, personality traits, sexual orientation of twins, marital relationships, epigenetic analyses, and more. Five appendices cover selected topics in greater depth, such as the frequency of different twin types and the varieties of polar body twin pairs. This book will inform and entertain behavioral and life science researchers, health professionals, twins, parents of twins, and anyone interested in the fascinating topic of twins.

Identifies common misunderstandings about twinsProvides scientific answers to questions about twinsEncompasses the biology, psychology, genetics, and personality of twinsIncludes discussion of identical, fraternal same-sex, and fraternal opposite-sex twinsAllows for quick answers to common questions and more detailed explanations

1. Twin Types: More Than Just Two 2. Living Laboratories: Double Designs and Multiple Methods

3. Mythconceptions About Twin Conceptions – I 4. Mythconceptions About Twin Conceptions – II 5. Identical or Fraternal? Telling Twins Apart 6. Biological Complexities, Myths and Realities 7. Mind-Readers? Twin Telepathy, Intelligence and Elite Performance 8. Going to School and Speaking Out Loud 9. Human Behavioral Variations: Sex and Sex Differences 10. Good Twin--Evil Twin and Family Ties 11. Twins, Clones and Other Extraordinary Pairs 12. Twin Spouses and Unrelated Look-Alikes: New Views 13. Of Two Minds: Old Questions and Fresh Answers

Appendix 1. What About Hellin’s Law? And Does Weinberg Rule? 2. Right-Handed or Left-Handed? 3. Polar Body Twins: A Primer 4. Nancy L. Segal's Top Ten: Classic Books on Twins 5. Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations