Advice Goddess Radio, LIVE Sun, 7-8pm PT: Twins Researcher Dr. Nancy Segal On Nature Vs. Nurture
Amy Alkon's Advice Goddess Radio: "Nerd Your Way To A Better Life!" with the best brains in science.
Twins research unlocks the answers to numerous questions we all have about human nature:
•How much do our genes determine who we are?
•Can we shift our environment to make the best of the genes we have?
•Where do our personalities come from?
•Why are some sisters so different from one another?
•How much does having rotten parents affect your chances for success?
•Why do some abused children grow up to be criminals and why do some become productive individuals?
Tonight, a very special guest, twins researcher Dr. Nancy Segal, who uses her studies of twins to figure out the rest of us -- such as how much we, on average, are shaped by our environment and how much by our genes.
She's the author of four books on twins, which can be found on her website, drnancysegaltwins.org. Join us tonight as she tells fascinating stories about twins and what her research on twins has to tell us about how we come to be the people we are.
Listen at this link at 7 p.m. Pacific, 10 p.m. Eastern, or download the podcast afterward:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon/2013/08/26/twins-researcher-dr-nancy-segal-on-nature-vs-nurture
Don't miss last week's show with developmental psychologist Dr. Peter Gray, explaining why our current educational system is actually counterproductive to educating kids. Our way of schooling kids ignores our evolved psychology and how children actually learn, and removes children's natural joy of learning from them in the process.
It turns out that schooling based on the principles of a democracy -- applied to children -- is highly effective schooling for keeping kids engaged, helping them develop self-control, and helping them develop to their fullest and become highly productive adults living meaningful lives.
Peter's fascinating book: Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life.
Listen at this link or download the podcast:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon/2013/08/19/dr-peter-gray-why-kids-learn-better-through-play
Join me and my fascinating guests every Sunday, 7-8 p.m. Pacific Time, 10-11 p.m. Eastern Time, here at blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.
Her study of twins is very interesting. I never knew about all the facets DNA plays versus the environment.
Jim P. at August 25, 2013 9:37 PM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/08/advice-goddess-127.html#comment-3874446">comment from Jim P.Thanks, Jim P., for listening. It's truly fascinating.
Amy Alkon
at August 25, 2013 11:18 PM
It doesn't involve twins, but I'm acquainted with an amazing example of nature vs. nurture.
Wesley is a lifelong alcoholic and drug addict; that problem was passed down in his family through many generations. 34 years ago, he and his first wife adopted a baby, Jonny. Shortly after, they split up, and Wesley kept custody of Jonny, whom he raised through age 18. Wesley was actively drinking and using the whole time.
When Jonny was 6, Wesley married Sally, and a year later they had a son, Nick. Less than a year after that, they divorced, and Sally got custody of Nick. Sally doesn't drink or use drugs, and when Nick was 5 she married someone who also has always been clean.
So here we have Jonny, whose birth parents were not drinkers or users, but who was raised by someone who was both. And Nick, who got half his genes from an addict, but was raised from infancy in a clean environment.
How are they doing now, as adults?
Jonny has a steady job, supports a wife and kids, and has never had a problem with alcohol or drugs. (I don't know if he completely abstains or has a beer now and then.)
Nick has a meth addiction which has cost him every job he ever had and landed him in jail a couple of times. He's in rehab for the fifth time.
Nature 2, nurture 0.
Rex Little at August 25, 2013 11:48 PM
I've always believed we have a lot less free will than we like to believe we do.
MonicaP at August 26, 2013 7:38 AM
Have you ever considered defining "free will"?
Radwaste at August 26, 2013 5:55 PM
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