Final answer:
If one identical twin develops schizophrenia, the other twin has approximately a 48% chance of developing it as well. The risk is due to the shared genetic information between identical twins, and environmental factors also play a role in the development of schizophrenia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks, "If your identical twin develops schizophrenia, what is your chance of also developing schizophrenia?" The correct answer is b) 48%. Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder with both genetic and environmental factors playing a role in its development. Studies have shown that if one identical twin has schizophrenia, the other twin has a significantly increased risk of developing the disorder compared to the general population due to their shared genetic makeup. This risk is commonly cited to be around 48%, although figures can vary slightly based on different research findings.
Genetic predisposition is a significant factor given that identical twins share the same genetic information. Environmental factors also contribute to the development of schizophrenia. For example, a study by Tienari et al. found that adoptees with a high genetic risk who were raised in disturbed family environments had a much higher likelihood of developing schizophrenia compared to those raised in healthy family environments. This illustrates the importance of both genetic and environmental interactions in the onset of the disorder.