GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCES ON THE COGNITIVE ABILITIES: STUDY OF 6-TO-8 YEARS TWINS

ANNU¹*, BIMLA DHANDA^2
1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, I.C. College of Home Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 125004, India
²Dean and Professor, I.C. College of Home Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 125004, Haryana, India
* Corresponding Author : annupanghal1997@gmail.com

Received : 02-08-2020     Accepted : 22-08-2020     Published : 30-08-2020
Volume : 12     Issue : 8       Pages : 762 - 764
Genetics 12.8 (2020):762-764

Keywords : Genetics, Heritability, Twins, Environment, Cognitive abilities
Academic Editor : Dr Samadrita Mukherjee Sardar
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Authors are thankful to Department of Human Development and Family Studies, I.C. College of Home Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 125004, Haryana, India
Author Contribution : All authors equally contributed

This research paper aims to determine genetic-environment influences on the cognitive abilities of twins. Using the 100 pairs of twins from two districts, namely: Bhiwani (N = 90) and Hisar (N = 110) of Haryana State. Genetic and environmental influences were assessed in twin study design. The cognitive abilities of twins were measured using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R). Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory was taken to examine the home environment of twins. Heritability estimate was used to analyze the genes contributing to shape the cognitive abilities of twins. The heritability estimates for cognitive abilities of 6-7 years old twins in Hisar district were 74% and in Bhiwani District 76%. Further the heritability estimates were 64% in the twins of Hisar district and 60%in Bhiwani district in the age group of 7-8 years. The remaining variations in the cognitive abilities of twins were due to environmental factors namely: provision for active stimulation and family participation in developmentally stimulating experiences. The findings provide robust evidence that the cognitive abilities were more influenced by genes than the environmental factors and also revealed that the influence of genetic was more in the age group 6-7 years than the age group 7-8 years. The conclusion of the heritability estimates indicates that the genetic influence was more in the age group of 6-7 years than the age group of 7-8 years.

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