The role of genetic factors in the child drawing behavior: a preliminary twin study

A sample of 27 MZ and 32 DZ twin pairs, aged 6 to 12 years, has been tested with the Draw A Family Test. Significantly higher concordance values in MZ than DZ twins have been found with respect to some graphic-structural factors (i.e.: line, hand pressure, area of the drawing, dimensions of the figures, distribution, and shading) as well as with respect to contents factors, such as spatial representation and cotwin's valorization. These correlates of personality development would thus appear to undergo significant genetic conditioning.