How can conjoined twins have different personalities?

[RisingSun]

How is it possible for conjoined twins to have different personalities? They have the same DNA, and therefore the same brain. Since they are joined, they have the same socialization and environment. They have the same nature and same nurture. But yet it seems there is often a personality difference, sometimes very large. For example, Ronnie and Donnie, Abigail and Brittany Hensel, and Ladan and Laleh Bijani. The last pair "were willing to risk death for the chance to live separately because of their very different personalities."

[SWM]

wow! that is a very interesting topic. i will give it some thought.

[hortonpilot]

I don't know?

Horton

[docjp]

How is it possible for conjoined twins to have different personalities? "

Because each is a different Soul, with a different MIND.  Although they share the same parents, and will have a similar Psychology for this life, and their personalities, being formed on this psychology to a degree, each brings into this life a personal MIND with a unique history.  Thus, although similar in many ways, they are also confined to the Fate http://about-psychology.com/karma.html each has designed for this life.

Peace

[hortonpilot]

But then my middle daughter shares many of the same characteristics as my middlr brother.
So position/order  of offspring has some effect as well.

In the animal world as with the human world the breeding some times skips a generation, so the grandchild  has the similiar traits.
Some sheep breeders chuck out good breeding thinking it is not there , but in fact appears in the subsequent generation?

Horton

[voodoo scientist]

Conjoined twins have inherently different environments even when raised together. They are aware of the other twin and that other people have different relations with the other twin than with themselves, for one. Secondly, every single difference in their lives contribute to their 'net difference' from the other twin, which makes them further likely to do or think about things the other twin will not do, or do them at different times, or otherwise - the possible scenarios are incalculable.

This question is stupid, and the replies in this thread are vain surface thoughts. The answer is obvious and the only reason I took the time to spell it out in a long paragraph is because it well illustrates just how obvious the answer to this question really is.

[docjp]

How is it possible for conjoined twins to have different personalities?

The question should rather be... can two Souls inhabit one organism?  Although it is obviously possible two Souls can "share" parts of one organism, they are entirely different Souls, each with its own MIND, and it was their intense attachment to one another than resulted in the birth they now experience. Chances are, neither will try this again.

[hortonpilot]

These are interesting thoughts!

Horton

[RisingSun]

I recently revisited this topic and I came across this thread about mind and soul, and I thought maybe this interpretation from a Hindu poster was an interesting interpretation:

From a Hindu perspectve:

Mind and soul are completely different. Mind is brain/body-related. It is something that the Yogi strives to bring under control.
The soul is pure consciousness and life force. It is the Self. It exists eternally.

The soul is spirit just as the body is matter.

The soul has its own unique characteristics. The influences of each lifetime impact on the 'personality' of the soul (helps it to develop or realise its inherent qualities). You have a number of influences that result in what you consider your current personality. There is genetic influence, social influence, and your innate personality. For instance, if you had an identical twin and both of you (hypothetically) shared the exact same experiences growing up, you would still turn out to be somewhat unique personalities. This is because you are different souls, with different innate personalities.