Childhood sex-role behaviors: similarities and differences in twins

Acta Genet Med Gemellol (Roma). 1984;33(2):173-9. doi: 10.1017/s0001566000007200.

Abstract

Parents of 702 twin pairs, ages 4 through 12, completed a sex-role behavioral preference questionnaire for each cotwin. Data were analyzed to determine the effects of gender, zygosity, and age on behavioral similarities and differences between cotwins. Among same-sex cotwins, male MZ pairs were reported to behave the most similarly. Girl-boy pairs were the most dissimilar. Sex and zygosity contributed significantly to cotwin behavioral differences, with female pairs varying more on sex-typed behaviors than male pairs and DZ pairs varying more than MZ pairs. Age of twins was not a major source of differences within twin pairs.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Gender Identity*
  • Genetics, Behavioral
  • Humans
  • Identification, Psychological*
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Sex Factors
  • Twins / psychology*
  • Twins, Dizygotic / psychology
  • Twins, Monozygotic / psychology