Editing Tabula rasa (section)

====Social pre-wiring hypothesis====
[[Twin study|Twin studies]] have resulted in important evidence against the ''tabula rasa'' model of the mind, specifically, of [[social behaviour]]. The ''social pre-wiring'' ''hypothesis'' (also informally known as "'''wired to be social'''") refers to the [[ontogeny]] of [[social relation|social interaction]]. The theory questions whether there is a propensity to [[social actions|socially oriented action]] already present ''before'' birth. Research in the theory concludes that newborns are born into the world with a unique [[genetics|genetic]] wiring to be social.<ref name="pmid20949058">{{cite journal |last1=Castiello |first1=Umberto |last2=Becchio |first2=Cristina |last3=Zoia |first3=Stefania |last4=Nelini |first4=Cristian |last5=Sartori |first5=Luisa |last6=Blason |first6=Laura |last7=D'Ottavio |first7=Giuseppina |last8=Bulgheroni |first8=Maria |last9=Gallese |first9=Vittorio |last10=Rustichini |first10=Aldo |title=Wired to Be Social: The Ontogeny of Human Interaction |journal=PLOS ONE|date=7 October 2010 |volume=5 |issue=10 |pages=e13199 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0013199 |pmid=20949058 |pmc=2951360 |bibcode=2010PLoSO...513199C |doi-access=free }}</ref>

[[Circumstantial evidence]] supporting the social pre-wiring hypothesis can be revealed when examining newborns' behaviour. Newborns, not even hours after birth, have been found to display a preparedness for [[social relation|social interaction]]. This preparedness is expressed in ways such as their imitation of facial gestures. This observed behaviour cannot be attributed to any current form of [[socialization]] or [[social construction]]. Rather, newborns most likely [[heredity|inherit]] to some extent [[social behaviour]] and [[identity (social science)|identity]] through [[genetics]].<ref name="pmid20949058" />

Principal evidence for this theory is uncovered by examining twin pregnancies. The main argument is, if there are [[social behaviour]]s that are [[heredity|inherited]] and developed before birth, then one should expect twin fetuses to engage in some form of [[social relation|social interaction]] before they are born. Thus, ten fetuses were analyzed over a period of time using ultrasound techniques. Using kinematic analysis, the results of the experiment were that the twin fetuses would interact with each other for longer periods and more often as the pregnancies went on. Researchers were able to conclude that the performance of movements between the co-twins were not accidental but specifically aimed.<ref name=pmid20949058/>

The social pre-wiring hypothesis was proven correct:<ref name=pmid20949058/><blockquote>The central advance of this study is the demonstration that '[[social actions]]' are already performed in the second trimester of [[Gestational age (obstetrics)|gestation]]. Starting from the 14th week of [[Gestational age (obstetrics)|gestation]] twin fetuses plan and execute movements specifically aimed at the co-twin. These findings force us to predate the emergence of [[social behaviour]]: when the context enables it, as in the case of twin fetuses, other-directed actions are not only possible but predominant over self-directed actions.</blockquote>