Final answer:
To test the theory of a genetic marker in schizophrenia development, researchers used identical twins, as they share the same genetics which allow for a focus on environmental impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
Researchers investigating the genetic marker in the development of schizophrenia have utilized identical twins to test their theory. Identical twins are valuable in such research due to sharing exact genetic sequences, providing an optimal scenario to isolate environmental factors since any differences in traits like schizophrenia can be attributed more to environmental variables than genetic ones. Studies like the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart have shown that identical twins, whether raised together or apart, demonstrate very similar personalities and traits, emphasizing the role of genetics in psychological development.
The evidence suggests that in the case of schizophrenia, a combination of genetic vulnerability and environmental stress is necessary for the disorder to develop, further supported by the work of Tienari and colleagues which highlighted the genotype-environment interaction in schizophrenia spectrum disorder.