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January 31, 1961. SIMULTANEOUS ANALYSIS OF AN IDENTICAL TWIN PAIR AND THE TWINNING REACTION. Edward D. Joseph, M.D. and Jack H. Tabor, M.D.
This paper is based on clinical material from the analysis of a pair of male twins. Previous studies have shown that being a member of a twin pair stimulates interdependency, difficulties in differentiation, and therefore mutual problems
in identity. The authors were aware that not everything found in the personality of a twin should be ascribed to the twinship itself. However, what they term the twinning reaction (i.e., mutual interidentification, part fusion of self, and object representation with a diffuseness of ego boundaries) may occur in nontwins, and even in a nonsibling pair.
The clinical material and course of the analyses showed Twin A to be more passive and compliant, Twin B more masculine. This reflected a difference in the attitude of each to the feminine identification involved; A accepted the feminine role more easily, while B was constantly denying it. B also showed a greater degree of narcissism and poorer object relations. Each had an image of the other as superior to himself, but also attempted to degrade the other. From the point of view of defenses, A had developed stronger reaction-formations and a greater sense of reality than B. The differences in strength of defense and character are not easily accounted for, but can in part be related to identifications with different aspects of the mother's character.
In closing the author discussed some of the problems faced by identical twins which promote mutual interidentification. These include: 1, the relatively simultaneous passage through progressive phases of maturation and development; 2, their physical similarity; 3, the interchange of libidinal and narcissistic gratification; 4, the need to defend against hostile impulses; and 5, the influence of the environment toward nondifferentiation.