蜜芽传媒

No one really cares that CrowdScience listener Sam has a younger brother, but they do care about his sister. In fact, they鈥檙e fascinated by her. That鈥檚 because Sam and his sister are fraternal twins.

He鈥檚 been wondering all his life why he鈥檚 treated differently. Could it be cultural? Twins have long appeared in classical mythology, revered literature, and playful comedies鈥攃aptivating artists and audiences alike across time and continents. Or is there something more scientific behind our fascination? Why are twins special?

Anand Jagatia investigates with Karen Dillon from Blackburn College in the USA, who says it鈥檚 more complicated. Over the years we have created stereotypes of who and what twins are. Our perception has been warped by history and pop culture. As an identical twin herself, she knows firsthand how stereotypes can shape a twin鈥檚 identity.

Philosopher Helena De Bres from Wellesley College in the USA believes these stereotypes play on human anxieties. Their similarities and differences are derived from their biology, maybe our genes have more of an influence over our personalities and behaviours than we like to think?

And Nancy Segal agrees, Director of the Twin Studies Centre at California State University in the USA. She has spent her career studying twins. She鈥檚 found that nearly every trait, whether it be behavioural or physiological, has a genetic component to it.

Anand is sure to leave you thinking that Sam, his sister and all the other twins across the globe, really are special!

Presenter: Anand Jagatia
Producer: Harrison Lewis
Series Editor: Ben Motley

(Image: Twin girls (8-10) wearing matching coats and pigtails. Credit: Jade Albert Studio, Inc via Getty Images)