Chapter 7 I Sibling Relationships CHAPTER GOALS} | * Leam about sibling relationships and their possible effect on human feo Learn a Listening Strategy: Recognize lecture language that signals comparisons and contrasts __ © Leam a Note-taking Strategy: Note comparisons and contrasts ‘* Learn a Discussion Strategy: Expand on your own ideas during a discussion Build Background Knowledge Think about the topic 1" L00Kat the pictures. then discuss the questions below in pairs. 1. Think about the childhoods of the children in the photos. In what ways are they probably similar? How are they different? 2. Which children do you think will grow up to be the most successful? Why? 3. What size family do you think is ideal? Why? 68 Chapter 7 Sibling Relationships2. Read mine just how similar they really are. Twin Studies ‘What determines the kind of person each of us develops into over a lifetime? How much are ‘we influenced by our home environment, and ‘how much are we influenced by our genes? One ‘way that psychologists have tried to answer these questions is by studying twins: identical twins (coming from one fertilized egg, so sharing the ‘same genes) and fraternal twins (coming from different eggs, so sharing 50% of their genes). By comparing these two groups, researchers hope to be able to estimate the influence of genes versus the influence of environment on the development of many human traits, such as personality. talents, interests, and attitudes. Psychologists from the University of Minnesota have conducted several different studies with over 8,000 pairs of twins and their families. To determine what accounts for differences between twins, they have compared identical twins who were raised together with ‘identical twins who were separated at birth and raised in different families. Their assumption is that any similarity in twins who are raised together can be attributed to both genes and ‘environment, whereas similarities in twins raised apart are due only to genes, since they had different environments while growing up. ‘Their studies indicate that genes have about a Unit 4 Psychology ‘50% influence on our personalities, while our ‘environment accounts for the other 50%. Researchers in this study have also tied to test the theory that we each develop a set of criteria for choosing a mate based on our genes ‘and our unique experiences growing up. To do this, researchers compared the spouses of male identical twins who were raised together. They found that the spouses of these identical twins ‘were not much more similar to each other than random pairs of people. They also found that two-thirds of the twins were “indifferent” to their twin’s mate or “actively disliked” her. These results indicate that neither our genes nor our upbringing is a good predictor of the spouse we ‘choose. Instead, researchers believe this choice appears to be random, and based more on whom wwe are near when we are ready to fall in love. ‘Another question this study has sought to answer is whether twins become more or less similar as they mature. They found that as identical twins age, they become less similar in their physical appearance, but more similar in their abilities, such as mathematical skills. On the other hand, as fraternal twins age they become Jess similar in these abilities. Some psychologists are skeptical of twin studies. These crities question some of the assumptions made by twin researchers, such as the assumption that identical twins and fraternal ‘twins have similar environments, or that identical twins raised apart are raised in very different environments. Some believe that, even in the same environment, there can be disparities in the way this environment affects siblings. As a result, it is difficult to determine clearly how much of our personality is genetically inherited and how much is determined by our environment, is newspaper article about studies done with twins to deter- pO 8 he tg a oe eg oy mei ce “OO ng 69Check your comprehension Expand your vocabulary Discuss the reading Review what you know 2 pa 3. Answer the questions about the article on page 69. Then discuss your answers with a partner. 1, What do researchers hope to learn by studying twins? What have they found? 2. To what extent do genes influence the choice of a mate? Explain. 3. What criticisms do some researchers have of twins research? 4, Match the words with their definitions. Look back at the article on page 69 to check your answers. __ L.gene a, to explain or give a reason for something —— 2. trait b. to age; to become fully grown or developed —— 3.account for ¢. difference _— 4.attribute tod. the biological component through which qualities are passed from parents to child — 5. unique e. received from your biological parents — 6. random f. doubtful that something is true or valid — 7. mature g: happening or chosen by chance — 8.skeptical _h. a quality; part of somebody's character —— 9.disparity i. unlike anything else — 10. inherited _j. to point to as the cause of something 5. Discuss these questions in a small group. Share your answers with the class. 1. Do you agree with the research results regarding how much of our personality comes from our genes versus our environment? Why or why not? Give some examples of people you know. 2. How similar are you to your parents? To your siblings? What makes you unique in your family? 6. With a partner, write down three things in your notebook that you have learned so far about similarities among siblings. Chapter 7 Sibling RelationshipsListening Strategy Comparison lecture language Recognize lecture language Unit 4 Psychology Prepare to Listen and Take Notes 1. To help you understand the listening strategy, discuss the situation below and answer the question. During a lecture, the professor is comparing and contrasting different things, but you can’t keep track of the similarities and differences she is discussing. What could you do to keep the information straight? |) Recognize Lecture Language that Signals Comparisons and Contrasts | Professors often compare and contrast different people, things, or ideas. "| Listen for the words and expressions that professors use to signal similarities and differences. 2. Read the expressions that signal comparison (similarity) and contrast (difference). Can you add others to the list? Contrast On the other hand. In the same way/fashion, . . . Both X and... Compared to X.Y is lessmore . Like X, Y is. While/whereas X.....Y. Also, . . Unlike X.Y... ‘What do X and Y have in common? ‘The difference between X and Y is. . . » Read the excerpt from a lecture on twins. Underline and label the lecture language that signals comparison or contrast. "ins ocr in about 1 in 85 bits. The two types of twins are Fatemal, or dizygotic . and identical, . . . or monozygotic. The difference between the two types comes from a difference in how they begin life. While rateral twins come from the fertiization of two separate eggs, identical twins come from a single fertilized egg that late spits in two. There are many stories of twins separated at birth who turn out to be amazingly similar, For example, Barbara Herbert and Daphne Goodship were identical twins who ‘were given up for adoption into different families at birth. When they met at the age ‘of 40, they discovered that they both worked in local government, met their husbands at a town dance at the age of 16, and both had given birth to two boys and @ git. Like Barbara, Daphne dyed her hair auburn and drank her coffee cold. 7. @® 4 tisten to an excerpt from a lecture on sibling relationships about Bill listen Clinton and his brother Roger Clinton. Match the first part of each sentence with the correct second part. — 1. Bill and Roger Clinton a, struggled to develop a career. _— 2. Both Bill and Roger b. had different biological fathers. _ 3. One was ambitious, the other _¢. were close to their mother. . @® 5 .tisten to the excerpt again. As you listen, write down at least four Listen for causes instances of lecture language that signals comparison or contrast. and effects Then listen once more and write down what is being compared or contrasted. Circle the correct label. 1. Lecture language: Compared/contrasted: 2, Lecture language: Compared/contrasted: 3. Lecture language: Compared/contrasted: 4, Lecture language: Compared/contrasted: Note Comparisons and Contrasts When taking notes about ideas in a lecture that are being compared and contrasted, it’s often easier to put your notes into a list or chart. This way you can easily see how the items are similar or different. You can organize your notes by listing the similarities and differences for each item, or by listing each point to be compared and contrasted. Note-taking Strategy R Chapter 7 Sibling RelationshipsNote comparisons and contrasts Unit 4 Psychology 6. With a partner, look at two students’ notes from the lecture about Bill and Roger Clinton. Which system do you prefer? Why? Bill Clinton Roger Clinton - born 1746 - born 1956 - father died before born - father Roger Clinton - mother married Roger Clinton age # - difficult childhood = - close to brother, mother - ~ good student - drug problems; dropped out of college ~ successful politician - arrested, unsuccessful music career se et*§ ag itn childhood | born 1746 1456 | father died father school | Excellent student | Dropped out of college 1 Yale Law School __| a career | Gov of AK Arrested for selling drugs US. Pres. | Played in rock bands; many jobs Not much of a career 7. Work with a partner. Take turns reading this excerpt aloud. While one of you reads, the other takes notes using a list or chart. Then switch roles. When you are finished, compare your notes. Both Joe Kennedy and his brother John were born into privilege—a wealthy family in Boston. They grew up as the two oldest siblings in a family of nine children, But in most ther ways they were quite different. Joe, the first-bom son, was favored by his parents. He excelled academically and aspired to be President. John, on the other hand, was a sickly child and mediocre student. Like his brother Joe, John fought in World War I. John escaped with minor injuries, while Joe was killed when his plane was shot down.Listen and Take Notes 1. Before the lecture, think about everything you have learned and Make predictions discussed on the topic of sibling relationships. What do you expect to learn more about in the lecture? Write three predictions below. 8 “Pp Compare your predictions with a partner. 1 2 3. a) 2. Now follow the lecture and take notes, using a chart or list. Remember to Follow the lecture listen for the lecture language that signals comparisons ard contrasts. compare/contrast, p73 4 Chapter 7 Sibling Relationshipsas 3. How well were you able to recognize the lecture language? Circle the sess your statement that best describes you. Explain your answer. comprehension I was able to recognize the lecture language for comparison and contrast —__ a. all of the time b. some of the time ¢. none of the timed, not sure 4. Use your notes to answer these questions. 1. Which siblings tend to be the most successful? The least successful? 2. What have researchers found to be generally true of middle children? 3. What are at least three ways that birth order can help to explain disparities between siblings? 4. What are at least three other reasons for these disparities? 5. Were you able to answer the questions in Exercise 4 using the Assess your notes information in your notes? Compare your notes with a few other 2 ps students. Discuss the differences and help each other fill in any missing information. Complete your notes. . 6. Work with a partner and take turns. Review your notes from the Summarize the lecture. Then explain the main points of the lecture to your partner. lecture Talk for 2-3 minutes only. 2 p19 Unit 4 Psychology BsDiscuss the Issues Expand on Your Own Ideas Sometimes during a group or class discussion, you may think of something else ‘you would like to say after your turn has passed. There are certain phrases you Can use that will help you to go back to your original idea and expand on it. Discussion Strategy 1. Read the expressions for expanding on your own ideas. Can you add Expand on your others to the list? What I meant before was... . Td like to go back to what I was saying earlier. . . Let me add something to what I said before . .. ‘What I was trying to say was... About my earlier point, .. About what I said earlier, ... I'd like to take my earlier point a step further... 76 Chapter 7 Sibling Relationships. 2.In groups of four, read the questions and discuss them. Start your avn rondiog discussion with more general ideas so that you can expand on them during the discussion. Keep the conversation going until every student has had a chance to practice using the target language. Use your own ideas and opinions or the ones given below. 1. How would you describe the ideal family? Think about the following aspects of a family: family size sibling relationships parent/child relationships roles and responsibilities of family members time spent together role of grandparents and other extended family members household income level physical location (house/apartment, city/small town/country) shared or separate bedrooms 2. Would you like to be a twin? Why or why not? . , 3. Discuss these ideas from the lecture with your classmates. Remember Pics tee ideas in to use the phrases for expanding on your own ideas. re 1. What is your birth order in your family? Has birth order influenced the siblings in your family as described in the lecture? In what ways? 2. In your experience, are oldest and only siblings most successful? Are there any characteristics of oldest, middle, or youngest siblings not ‘mentioned in the lecture that you have noticed? How about only children? 3. Think about your closest friends from different times of your life. Do they tend to be of one birth-order category or from different categories? Why do think this is? What might it say about you? 4. Look back at your notes. What was another idea in the lecture that you found important and interesting? Tell the class why you think it is important or interesting, and ask for their opinions. Unit 4 Psychology 7