Gottesman (1991) - Twin Studies
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 5.1.10
Gottesman (1991) — A Meta-Analysis of Twin Studies
Gottesman (1991) investigated the concordance rate of schizophrenia in twins.
Procedure & results
- Gottesman carried out a meta-analysis of European twin studies from 1963 to 1987.
- It was found that there was a 48% concordance rate in MZ twins and a 17% concordance rate in DZ twins.
Conclusions from Gottesman
- As MZ twins share 100% genes, this would suggest that Schizophrenia has a large genetic component.
- However, the concordance rate is not 100%, so other factors must also play a part.
Evaluation of Gottesman
- Strengths
- Lots of data from a large number of studies, so reliable.
- Limitations
- Twins share the same environment and MZ twins more likely to be treated the same.
Test yourself on Gottesman (1991) - Twin Studies
Which of these are true of Gottesman (1991)?
What were Gottesman's (1991) findings?