Identical twins

Identical twins are born when an egg divides into two, resulting in the birth of two children with identical genes. We all know such twins are often very similar in appearance. Some believe, however, that there is also a close connection between twins in the way they think, not just in the way they look. Twins finish each other's sentences, and share the same tastes in clothes or music. Some have argued that identical twins have mysterious, even psychic, powers. Although many identical twins claim to know what the other is thinking, there is no evidence to suggest that this is because of special powers. A more believable explanation is that, like any pair of people who have grown up together, they are just good at understanding the thought processes behind what their twin does. Most of us have met up with a brother or sister, or close friend, and immediately asked, 'What's wrong?' because we have unconsciously recognised, in their facial expression, that they are upset in some way. Signs we would miss in a stranger's behaviour are instantly obvious in the way those close to us act. It is hardly surprising that twins notice the way their brother or sister's facial expressions or body language gives away how they feel. Indeed, the closeness of their bond is likely to improve this ability over the years.

The media is full of stories in which a twin senses her brother or sister to be in trouble. In a recent, widely-reported case, for example, a young man survived a horrific fall thanks to a feeling his twin is supposed to have had. Damien Croft developed a bad headache one evening and, concerned, felt the need to phone his brother to check if everything was OK. When there was no reply, he drove to his brother's home, only to find him unconscious, having had an epileptic fit and fallen from a ladder while decorating. On the face of it, his sixth sense had saved the day. In truth, of course, the events might also be explained in more ordinary terms. Damien knew his brother was decorating, and knew that he was prone to epileptic fits. Subconsciously concerned, he had just imagined the worst-case scenario. The fact that something awful had happened was only a coincidence.