Am I “I” or “us”? A search for the development of the self in twins.

Αbstract

This dissertation project is entitled Is it “me” or am I “us”?
A search for the self in twins and twins, a problem present in twins /
twins who have lived since before their birth, and who subsequently continue in
increase.
It is quite a journey where they experience different worlds but worlds
parallels; where the separation and breaking of that bond is an embodied process not
worked and it is essential to do it consciously to avoid certain problems

Aims of research

- To evaluate the various concepts that affect the relationship between twins, both in movement as well as in the communication between them and with others.
- To reflect on the confused personality, on the process of individualisation, and on the embodied development of individuality in twins.
- To observe independence and autonomy in twins.
- To show possible limitations suffered by at least one of the twins after being separated.
- To corroborate the strong bond that is created between them.
- To make use of guidelines, through a sample, in disciplines such as dance movement therapy.

Principal research question(s)

- What is written about dance therapy and twins?
- What are the existing treatments, in the psychological field, to foster the relationship between twins as well as the separation, taking into account the body?

Principal findings

After qualitatively evaluating concepts such as: attachment, self, communication, separation, and support in twins’ relationship, I was able to see how they affected the construction of the self, in the same way as they did for me during my DMT Master. Those concepts showed the importance of reaching individuation, of promoting self esteem and autonomy in twins. Some concepts weighted more than others, such as the concept of separation: it was the key point where one could observe whether the self had a secure base structure or not.
This work is only a brushstroke on what logically affects our body, our mind and the relational process with others in a twin relationship.
In conclusion I compare the concepts previously analysed to my personal process during the DMT master, and I suggest alternative proposals for people forgoing similar processes. This change of paradigm needs more investigation, to which perhaps science is not yet ready. An advanced study on what would be a healthy psychological development between twins or simply how relationships between them are, from an embodied perspective, is needed and it could shine a light on certain enigmas still unresolved on their relational specificity.
My final conclusion would be to continue studying these experiential processes through the body, being the clearest tool showing what twins feel. For this reason, although we have to treat each identity individually, we must not forget this dual relationship in which they start by being different, by not being unique.

Research Supervisors
Rosa María Rodríguez
Nature of data collection
survey
Ethical board approving research
Master Dance Movement Therapy
Research design
qualitative
Registered Academic Institution
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Academic level of research
MA