Tim: That sounds very reasonable. Of course, in the "Jim twins" example, we may just have co-incidence; perhaps a high % of those in a certain demographic drink "Milla" in the first rate, making the co-incidence not that unusual. It has been many years since I tried either of those brands, btw. If I am permitted another tangent, vodka (as it relates to brand loyalty) is interesting because it is supposed to be odorless, tasteless (mostly) and colorless, which is why (if I remember) Smirnoff sold people on the ads and posters. Choose the nicely colored label - since it all tastes the same inside!
I hope somewhere, deep in the heart of Florida, Michael S. is enjoying all of this. Michael, you should win an award for "discussion initiation" ----------------------------- John W. Kulig Professor of Psychology Director, Psychology Honors Plymouth State University Plymouth NH 03264 ----------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: Shearon, Tim [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 2:10 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] RE: Those amazing identical twins John- I seriously doubt that there are primarily genetic factors in brand choice of beer. One could make the case that genetically related sensitivities to sweet and bitter tastes, in particular, (maybe umami?- is there glutamate in beer?) could influence beer choice. But I would be hard pressed to come up with detailed explanations of a genetic or physiological sort while explanations based on peer pressure, advertising, locale, etc are quite obvious. I think beer choice is probably more like music choice- it depends more on education, exposure, experience, etc. On the other hand, as you stated to your students earlier, a little bit of genetic input seems to play some role in musical ability- particularly for those talented outliers we all have on our stereo- now as to rock. . . Besides, have you actually tasted Miller? :) BLEAAACCCHHH!!! Right up there with Coors, imho. Tim -----Original Message----- From: John Kulig [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 7:46 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] RE: Those amazing identical twins What is it about beer-brand loyalty? Every time I do my routine on the Jim twins and we get to the beer they selected (Miller?) I ask my class if brand of beer matters. In unison they all say "Yessssss...". Is there really a difference between these types of beers? IF there is a difference, what genetic factor unlerlies it? I remember a feisty student who once challanged my assertion that musical talent had a genetic component, because (he said) music nowadys is expressed through the piano and related instruments, none of which were around when we "evolved." Obviously (or not?) we evolved with a sensitivity to human pitch and rhythm, and this jumps over into the piano or other instruments. But beer? ----------------------------- John W. Kulig Professor of Psychology Director, Psychology Honors Plymouth State University Plymouth NH 03264 ----------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: Shearon, Tim [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 2:10 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] RE: Those amazing identical twins Absolutely. The Molson gene. _______________________________ Timothy O. Shearon, PhD Professor and Chair Department of Psychology Albertson College of Idaho Caldwell, ID 83605 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] teaching: intro to neuropsychology; psychopharmacology; general; history and systems -----Original Message----- From: Michael Sylvester [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Mon 11/13/2006 6:14 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] Those amazing identical twins There are reports of identical twins raised apart who show identical behaviors and interests. The assumption is that genetics have a definitive role in this. What could be alternative explanations? If one adopted twin was raised in Canada and chooses Molson as the preferred beer,and the other was raised in New York and also chooses Molson as the preferred beer,wouldn't this be a choice influenced by genetic factors? Michael Sylvester,PhD Daytona Beach,Florida --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=engl ish --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=engl ish --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=engl ish --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english
