In 2010, Dale, Harlaar, Haworth, and Plomin completed a twin study in which they found evidence suggesting an important role for heredity in the ease with which adolescents learn a second language. Given this,
A) skill in foreign language was more similar among fraternal twins than among identical twins.
B) skill in foreign language was more similar among identical twins than among fraternal twins.
C) skill in foreign language was equal among fraternal and identical twins.
D) skill in foreign language cannot be evaluated using a twin study.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The study suggests that heredity plays an important role in the ease of learning a second language, therefore it is likely that skill in foreign language would be more similar among identical twins (who share 100% of their genetic material) than among fraternal twins (who share approximately 50% of their genetic material). This points to a strong genetic influence on language learning ability.

In 2010, Dale, Harlaar, Haworth, and Plomin Completed a Twin