Study on Contribution of Genetic and Environment to Perceptual Cognitive Skills of Twins

Abstract

The contribution of genetic was ranging from 50-65% in the variations of perceptual cognitive skills of twins. The current twin study design elucidated the contribution of genetic and environment to a wide range of perceptual cognitive skills. To conduct twin study, 100 pairs of twins from two districts namely; Bhiwani (N = 90) and Hisar (N = 110) of Haryana State were taken. Genetic and environmental influences were assessed in twin study design. The perceptual cognitive skills of twins were measured using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Revised (WISC-R). Heritability estimate was used to examine the genes contributed to shape the cognitive skills of twins. The result of heritability estimates revealed that the heritability estimates of perceptual cognitive skills namely picture completion, picture arrangement, block design and object assembly in Bhiwani district were 63%, 57%, 61% and 60% and in Hisar district were 54%, 52%, 58% and 56% respectively. The findings clearly elucidated that the perceptual cognitive skills were more influenced by genetic background than the environmental factors. The monozygotic twins were more correlated in their general cognitive abilities than the dizygotic twins.