Researchers believe that infants are “wired” from birth to socially interact with other humans—that it is deep within human nature to reach out to other people.
Psychologist Umberto Castiello and a team of Italian researchers used 3D colour ultrasound technology to observe five pairs of twins in the womb, paying particular attention to the movements of their hands.
It seems that the twins make deliberate physical contact with each other voluntarily—not by accident or reflex Movements directed towards the other twin were slower than others.
The movements were planned, meaning they had a real social purpose. These motor developments were observed from the fourth month of pregnancy.
The behaviour reflects fetal development and maturation of the central nervous system and may make it possible to track future behavioural problems.