Iq and Twins

IQ and Twins

Studies have shown that a significant percentage of an individual’s intelligence is inherited and passed down through their parent’s genes. With that being said, there is also a very distinct correlation between twins and their IQ. Identical twins are always the same sex, have the same physical features, and also have identical genes. Fraternal twins on the other hand can be the opposite sex, have different physical features, and possess different genes from one another. Does this mean that identical twins have identical intelligence and the intelligence of fraternal twins differs greatly? The correlation between IQ and twins, whether it be identical or fraternal, has been studied and compared countless times before.

Through numerous studies, researchers have examined identical twins and fraternal twins of the same sex that have been raised in the same household with the same upbringing to determine their IQ similarities. Identical twins share the same genes and since IQ is hereditable, it has been concluded that they also share the same intelligence. This does not mean that they will have the same exact IQ however, their intelligence will be very similar with one another. On the other hand, fraternal twins of the same sex have a much greater contrast when observing their intelligence. This can be explained due to the fact that fraternal twins are essentially the same thing as regular siblings, therefor they share 50% of the same genes. These findings have been very significant in terms of IQ and genetics and only proves the fact that genes do play an important role in one’s intelligence.

This concludes that the correlation between IQ and twins does exist but only to a certain extent. Identical twins share the same intelligence levels while the intelligence of fraternal twins differs quite a bit.