Study of cooperative and competitive strategies in the solution of problems by twins

• Grant number: 19/22180-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2019
• End date: October 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Experimental Psychology
• Agreement: Natura
• Principal Investigator: Emma Otta
• Grantee: Luiza Garcia Majzoub
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50282-5 - Positive psychology and neuroscience: translational research to promote well-being and emotional regulation, AP.PCPE

Abstract

Twinship is a unique sibling relationship with strengths and vulnerabilities. Research with monozygous (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin siblings, which focus on both proximal factors and ultimate causes of behavior, has shown that relationships between MZ are considerably more intense than between DZ. The research presented to FAPESP aiming at obtaining an IC scholarship, aims to study cooperation and competition between MZ and DZ twins during the joint solution of a problem. While the mother is answering a questionnaire in the Lab, the children are invited to solve a puzzle together in the shortest possible time. The hypothesis of the present study is that MZ twins will work more cooperatively to solve the problem, while DZ twins will present a more individualistic work style. The sample will be composed of twins born at the Hospital das Clínicas da USP, from 2007 to 2014, for which we have data about pregnancy and delivery. It is a partnership between FMUSP and IPUSP through the Painel USP de Gêmeos. (AU)