The Perception of Similarities and Differences among Adolescent Siblings: Identification and Deidentification of Twins and Nontwins

Autor/in	Watzlawik, Meike
Titel	The Perception of Similarities and Differences among Adolescent Siblings: Identification and Deidentification of Twins and Nontwins
Quelle	In: Journal of Adolescent Research, 24 (2009) 5, S.561-578 (18 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0743-5584
DOI	10.1177/0743558409338301
Schlagwörter	Twins; Identification; Age Differences; Adolescents; Siblings; Self Concept; Adolescent Development; Interviews; Comparative Analysis; Individual Characteristics + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Twin; Zwilling; Identifikation; Identifizierung; Age; Difference; Age difference; Altersunterschied; Adolescent; Adolescence; Adoleszenz; Jugend; Jugendalter; Jugendlicher; Sibling; Geschwister; Selbstkonzept; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Personality characteristic; Personality traits; Persönlichkeitsmerkmal
Abstract	During adolescence, identity development reaches its crucial point. Siblings foster the search for their own uniqueness through social comparisons. These comparisons can lead to identification ("I am like you." or "We are special.") as well as deidentification ("I am different from you!"). In this study, 204 siblings were interviewed to determine in which aspects/traits twins and nontwins perceive similarities and differences between them and their siblings. The number of similarities and differences mentioned was also examined as well as the frequency with which upward, downward, and neutral comparisons are used. It was assumed that monozygotic twins in particular differ from other twins (dizygotic twins of the same and opposite sex) and nontwins (siblings with a maximum age difference of 24 months) due to different developmental conditions. For all siblings, results show that the areas in which similarities and differences are perceived differ. Similarities are mainly perceived in interests and shared abilities/activities, whereas differences are mainly described with the help of character traits, looks, and athletic abilities. Monozygotic twins perceive fewer differences between them than do the other groups but do not perceive more similarities. Twins and nontwins do not differ in the frequency with which upward, downward, and neutral comparisons are used. Implications of these results are being critically discussed. (Contains 1 figure, 4 tables and 1 note.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10