Birth Order Stereotypes

Though there are specific temperaments and personality traits commonly found in each birthplace, it does not signify that each characteristic perfectly fits a single child or adult in that order. Many variables interfere with the general traits found in each birthplace and can easily change the personalities of that specific order. A complete change in birth order characteristics can also result from these specific interferences. Both circumstances in the outside and inside world take effect and are called the variables of birth order. These variables are very important to keep in mind while looking at this subject. Dr. Kevin Leman, an internationally renowned psychologist, and New York Times Bestselling Author, lists some of the major variables found in many children and adults in his book The Birth Order Book. The spacing of up to five years or more, gender, physical and mental disabilities or difference, deaths in the family, and also spacing will interfere and alter the personality traits found in each birth placement. This list of variables can continue on, but looking at these can provide insight to those dealing with doubts towards their specific birth order or where they may fit

If researchers hypothesis are supported and birth order affects first born children then, they will score high in Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, low in Openness to Experience, and Extraversion. Middle children score low in Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and high in Neuroticism. While youngest children will score high in Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Extraversion and low Conscientiousness. Current research will support the fact that birth order certainly plays a role as it pertains to personality and findings by Saroglou & Fiasse (2002) as well as Healy & Ellis (2006) supports the fact that parents expectations and treatment shape a child’s temperament.

For almost half a century, birth order has been viewed as key in determining individual personality traits. Psychologists such as Alton Adler and Francis Galton spearheaded research on this topic, and their conclusions are cited as references for those who support the idea. There recently have been studies conducted that strive to overturn this theory by showing how different variables can affect the results of our development. (Beck) There are those who stand by early research and support distinct groups of characteristics only being exhibited by people sharing a certain birth order. There are others; however, who oppose this idea and instead favor growth as an individual experience not limited by expectations. With two very different approaches to this matter, the question remains,

The purpose of the study was to provide support that birth order affects one’s personality, and to challenge theorists who argue that the home environment has no lasting effect on behavior outside of the home .Data was collected by a survey of 900 undergraduates, in which their own birth order order, their best friend’s birth order and the birth orders of their parents were collected.Both romantic and platonic relationships were studied. The study concluded that firstborns, middle children, youngest children, and only children alike, are all more likely to associate with their own kind (eg. firstborns with firstborns). The study also found that family size may account for a linkage between birth order and personality. They concluded that the smaller the family, the less competition each child has for resources, the more successful the children will

Bleske-Rechek & Kelley (2014) have noticed that past research on the link between birth order and personality seems to be biased in that data has been collected by only self-raters, which forces the single member to compare other members of family in relation to themselves. Bleske-Rechek & Kelley argue that birth order effects on personality operate within the family-rearing environment, thus individual differences in personalities between firstborn and laterborn siblings must be measured in responses to the environment according to each member.

Have you wished that you could switch places with your siblings? Whether it is because they are getting more attention from your parents or because they seem to be having more fun, understanding where your place is in the family can reveal a lot about your personality. There are many different factors that impact one’s emotions, outlook, and behavior, but birth order is the most influential. Birth order can impact every facet of our lives, including careers, relationships, and personality. The place that you were born into your family influences the way you interact with other people. But, how can multiple kids from same parents in the same house be so different?

There have been many studies conducted regarding the impact of birth order in multi-children families, whether it affects creativity, future success, intelligence, and overall happiness and satisfaction in life. It is popularly believed by laypeople that birth order and family size plays a strong role in the development and eventual personality type and success of each adult; however, while many studies have found positive correlations between older children and success, others have been inconclusive (Carballo, J. et al. 2012). While birth order may play a role in a child’s development, there are many other factors to consider such as socioeconomic status, parental favouritism, parental involvement, and socialization at an early age to name a few. We can go back to our ancestral days to look for clues as to why birth order may have a significant impact on the future success of a child. In ancestral humans, the most important thing was survival; there were high infant mortality rates and people were driven to pass down their genes, so parents were often left to allocate efforts to the child that would most likely survive to have their own children (Daly, M. Wilson, M. 1987, pg 93). This is especially important for fathers, whose paternity is not necessarily guaranteed, as is the mothers. Even today it is still very common for a man to leave a newborn child and the mother if it is even speculated that a child may not be his own (Schmitt, D. 2005, pg 250). Following this, we

For centuries, one of the most curious stereotypes that have compelled most people is the role birth order has on their personalities and lives. Is birth order necessarily important? Does it honestly affect our personalities? Birth order has been controversial issue since biblical times for example Cain and Abel and Jacob and Esau. Psychologists have a lot of assumptions about how that individual behaves and responds to life whenever a person is a first born, middle child, youngest child, or only child. The questions remains, what difference does birth order make, and how true is it that birth order can even have an impact? Theorist has looked at the various studies regarding birth order most of which have used the example of the Adlerian concept of birth order to suggest intelligence and personality type the following paper will work to better understand if birth order makes a significant difference in the outcome of an individual’s life. Leman believes the key to sibling personality discrepancies lies in birth order and how the parents treat their children due to it. However, there are numerous psychologists responsible for the stereotypes of birth order, and how it contributes to various personality types in the study.

Does one’s sibling rank affect their character? People believe, “the oldest is dictatorial,” everyone “babies the sweetheart,” and the middle child is “-- well, stuck in the middle.” As a middle child in a family of three, I have come to recognize these statements as facts, and not mere assumptions. The average middle child is a peace-making, social, secretive, and easy-going person. Even though I share in all these traits, I will be focusing on the peaceful, laid-back and social side of my character.

(117) They are defined as the pacemaker, where there is always a child ahead of them and become stimulated to catch up. (Adler, 1932) They may try to follow the footsteps of the older sibling, but if they can’t match up they often go the opposite route striving to be different. Corresponding to Adler, the second born often excels at something the first born is not good at. For example, I’m book smart but my sister Doris, the middle child, is an excellent piano player. Playing piano is something I’d never be capable of succeeding in. Ever since I could remember, she’s been in competition with me, simply trying to out do me in any way she can. Just as Adler’s example of the great sense of rivalry he felt with his older brother and his inability to compete on a physical level, I’ve sensed the same, especially when it comes to my parents. The middle child may also feel like the older sibling gets all the recognition, so eventually they start to develop tendencies to rebel due to these feelings of not measuring up to them. (Neal) They react this way in order to seek a way to distinguish themselves to their parents. A behavior defined as feelings of inferiority; the uncertainty and feelings of not measuring up to standards. Adler justifies these feelings as “universal” and serve as a positive motivating force. (Dewey) But repeated failures actually have the potential to be quite damaging to their self esteem. (Friedman,

Birth order is nothing to take lightly. Weather being a first born child or a last born child is a prime factor in an adolescent’s maturing. Being a first born child might make you more cautious rather than a last born child may make you an attention seeking child. To few people’s knowledge, birth order determines many distinctive characteristics of an adolescent.

The only children in some ways have the best of both worlds ! Characteristics of both oldest and

By the time a one-child household becomes a multi-child household, many changes are developed. The parents will decorate a new room, baby-proof the house, and reroute their attention to the new child. The child, on the other hand, throws temper tantrums, make messes, or anything else to get attention. The feelings of the older child change, and begin to affect them psychologically.

Research revolving around the effect of birth order on personality is simple to find, given the multitude of papers on the subject. Despite this birth order literature is considered ambiguous and teaming with conflict. Due to the ease of access to these controversial birth order theories, first time, second time, third time, etc. parents can be influenced by these theories, and thus influence their children. Rarely is there a study that researches the effect of these birth order beliefs on children and their progression into adulthood. Nicholas Herrera, R. Zajonc, Grayzyna Wieczorkowska, and Bogdan Cichomski, address this concept in their empirical study, Beliefs About Birth Rank and Their Reflection in Reality.

Being the oldest child, your younger siblings will see you as their mentor or the role model to try and follow your footsteps . Me as a person, I love to motivate people because some just need a little push to strive for the better. I always seen myself as a leader for my younger siblings. Being a leader isn’t being bossy, it’s having a time to be serious when something is important. An example of my leadership is taking care of my two sisters and my five year old brother and showing them right from wrong. My middle sister is currently a sophomore at Moreno Valley High School. Her name is Lesslie. Lesslie has always been the type of person that feels like she can’t do something. When Lesslie was in middle school, her grades were straight A’s