Birth Order Effect: Busted
Birth Order Effect: Busted
Winston Churchill once said “History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.” Churchill was the oldest child in his family and eventually went on to become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; the question remains; does birth order determine who people will become? Cultural norms say that the oldest child is responsible and driven, while the baby of the family is spoiled and irresponsible; an evaluation of this idea needs to be taken. Children are not directly influenced by the order of birth within their family, rather, the way they are treated by their parents individually has a greater impact on the family as a whole.
Birth order can no longer be the scapegoat for behavior and personality traits. While …show more content…
many people would like to blame birth order for certain personality traits as well as behavior patterns, birth order can no longer take responsibility. Sometimes birth order can have correlation with certain behaviors that are exhibited, but it is not a big factor at all. A writer for the Huffington Post recently explained that “These links between personality and birth order ring true for many people. But decades of research have failed to show any consistent and substantial association between birth order and any personality trait” (Haslam). As children grow up, they tend to have a bend toward a certain personality type. Many factors are involved in shaping who people will become, however, birth order has not been proven to have a specific or lasting effect on personality. While research has been conducted, there is nothing strong enough to pinpoint birth order as a major deciding factor in one or many of a person’s personality traits and behaviors.
Even though family ordering is sometimes used to “explain” behaviors, the differences between siblings is typically very miniscule.
Gretel Kauffman explains that birth order does not influence personality as much as was originally thought. This article further examines the methods that are most typically used to study this idea, concluding that the information does not point to a strong correlation between children’s personalities in relation to the order of their birth. “The analysis also showed a pattern of differing personality traits between firstborns and younger siblings - firstborns, were on average, more extroverted, agreeable, and conscientious - but those differences were ‘infinitesimally small’ as well” (Kauffman). The point is often overlooked, however, families often have an array of differing personalities under one roof. This relates to birth order in that it cannot be blamed for the variation of personality or in the motives behind the way behaviors are exhibited. Children often share a few similarities in behavior within their families, however, they are, typically, if not usually, very different from their siblings. While children
Firstborns, middle children, and the babies of the family are oftentimes positioned in categories with specific behavioral patterns. Author Carolyn Gregoire explains that for many years, multiple scientific studies have been conducted relating to the correlation between birth order and personality. She goes on to say that generally …show more content…
speaking, depending on birth order, children display certain traits. These traits do not stereotype each child, however, in some cases, it can be used to explain certain behaviors. Gregoire goes on to say that
Since the 1970s, thousands of scientific studies on birth order have been conducted, but psychologists often disagree about how much of a role birth order actually plays in development. However, some common aspects of the personalities of oldest, middle, and youngest children are consistent across the literature. (Gregoire)
As children grow up, they develop their own unique personality and typical behavior patterns. This idea that personality is partially dependent on birth order is not accurate. Birth order, to an extent, has small effects on who people turn out to be. However, it is wrong to assume that this is the major deciding factor in why people become who they become.
In many cases, older children blame parents for spoiling the baby of the family, thus creating an entitled brat, but whether this is true or not needs to be reevaluated. Most often, children share the same set of parents, however, they are not raised by the same parents. Based on children’s birth order, they typically exhibit different personality traits. An article from the Huffington Post outlines the idea that parents “parent” each of their children in a different and specific way. “Parents are different with each of their children, and no two children ever take the same role” (Gross). Since each child, depending on age, gender, and emotional level, has a specific set of needs, parents have to approach all needs in a careful and different manner. As such, each child is treated in a contrasting way, thus contributing to a unique personality and skill set.
In actuality, birth order does not affect personality so much as it affects parenting style. Personality is a complex term that accounts for many factors. Some would argue that birth order is included in this sentiment. While each child in the birth order lineup typically demonstrates a few certain traits, this does not make them who they are or give them their identity. Parenting style, age gap, gender, and socioeconomic status can and should also be taken into account when studying birth order. “Parents tend to be different with each of their children with no two children taking the same role” (Borreli). It is time to start looking at the effect that parenting style leaves on children, rather than purely blaming birth order. Each household has a different set of parents, and often times, within the same household, each child experiences a different set of parents. Since each child has a unique set of needs, they are cared for and responded to differently by their parents. This is a big contributing factor in personality and behavior.
Additionally, birth order has been misrepresented on the list of “Key Personality Factors.” To an extent, birth order has reign and rule over who people become, however, it is seen almost exclusively as the main reason people turn out to be the way they are. A writer from encyclopedia.com addressed this when she explained that “Being born first, last, or somewhere in the middle is itself not of significance. What matters is how that birth order affects how a child is treated by parents and other siblings and how that child feels about it” (Thomson). While parents may not realize it, they are teaching their children how to behave, especially toward the people within their household. Because tiny humans are very malleable, things that are seen as miniscule or unimportant to adults can be blown out of proportion by children. The way that children are responded to, treated on a continual basis, and generally speaking, cared for, is a big determining factor in the shaping of their personality.
While birth order can sometimes be considered a contributing factor in the personality and behavior department, the methods used to determine this are often flawed. An article from The Washington Post explained that the way birth order and personality are measured is oftentimes biased. In order to effectively measure it, the way it is tested needs to be changed. “A within family study with a large sample size and a longitudinal approach [is] one which the researchers measured the oldest kid, and then waited for their younger siblings to grow up and reach the same age before being measured” (Ohlheiser). To some degree, birth order does affect personality and behavior, In order to effectively measure this, though, there must be a control group; something that remains constant in each different observation and study. As Ohlheiser described, it is better to measure each child at the same age to accurately determine how important or miniscule birth order really is in light of personality and behavioral patterns. Until more studies are approached from this angle, they will not give information that can be used as a credible source.
In order to accurately look at the effect of something, one must make certain that the data is reliable and the methods used allow for an unbiased result. One of the authors from Newspaper Source Plus discusses firstborns in relations to the rest of their siblings. It addresses the idea that the eldest child is the smartest, while showing that the data used to find this information is flawed. This could possibly be proven IF the information and tactics used were unbiased and covered a wide range of resources. “Many of the studies trying to back up these truisms with evidence uses shoddy methodology that either fails to control for family size, economic status or parents’ educational attainment or extrapolates about dynamics within a family from comparisons between families…” (Waldman). Since personality is a complex culmination of things, it requires a culmination of things to be accounted for. There are multiple components and factors that go into one’s personality. If these things are swept under the rug or simply forgotten about, any study that comes about is not giving enough information to truly measure the effect that birth order has on personality.
In the past, many have heavily associated birth order with personality, almost making them interchangeable.
Author Cosima Marriner explains, with the help of other psychologists, that birth order does not play as heavy a role in personality as parenting style does. “Professor Haslam said that while birth order could play a part in family dynamics when children were growing up, it had no bearing on what [they] were like as adults” (Marriner). As children grow up, they can sometimes, in a sense, be hidden in the shadow of their other siblings. While this sometimes plays a big role as they grow up, once the children reach adulthood, that role becomes smaller and does not take up as much space. Birth order more so affects family dynamics than personality. Its influence is more directly associated within a family and who plays which
role.
There is no absolute correlation between behavior and personality for children based on birth order in their family. As a result of this information, it is unfair to blame the personality traits and behavioral patterns of oneself on something that has little to no effect at all. Across the board, oldest, middle, youngest, and only children share certain mannerisms and conduct with each other, however, this is not what makes and shapes people into who they are.
Winston Churchill once said “History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.” Churchill was the oldest child in his family and eventually went on to become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; the question remains; does birth order determine who people will become? Cultural norms say that the oldest child is responsible and driven, while the baby of the family is spoiled and irresponsible; an evaluation of this idea needs to be taken. Children are not directly influenced by the order of birth within their family, rather, the way they are treated by their parents individually has a greater impact on the family as a whole.
Birth order can no longer be the scapegoat for behavior and personality traits. While …show more content…
many people would like to blame birth order for certain personality traits as well as behavior patterns, birth order can no longer take responsibility. Sometimes birth order can have correlation with certain behaviors that are exhibited, but it is not a big factor at all. A writer for the Huffington Post recently explained that “These links between personality and birth order ring true for many people. But decades of research have failed to show any consistent and substantial association between birth order and any personality trait” (Haslam). As children grow up, they tend to have a bend toward a certain personality type. Many factors are involved in shaping who people will become, however, birth order has not been proven to have a specific or lasting effect on personality. While research has been conducted, there is nothing strong enough to pinpoint birth order as a major deciding factor in one or many of a person’s personality traits and behaviors.
Even though family ordering is sometimes used to “explain” behaviors, the differences between siblings is typically very miniscule.
Gretel Kauffman explains that birth order does not influence personality as much as was originally thought. This article further examines the methods that are most typically used to study this idea, concluding that the information does not point to a strong correlation between children’s personalities in relation to the order of their birth. “The analysis also showed a pattern of differing personality traits between firstborns and younger siblings - firstborns, were on average, more extroverted, agreeable, and conscientious - but those differences were ‘infinitesimally small’ as well” (Kauffman). The point is often overlooked, however, families often have an array of differing personalities under one roof. This relates to birth order in that it cannot be blamed for the variation of personality or in the motives behind the way behaviors are exhibited. Children often share a few similarities in behavior within their families, however, they are, typically, if not usually, very different from their siblings. While children
Firstborns, middle children, and the babies of the family are oftentimes positioned in categories with specific behavioral patterns. Author Carolyn Gregoire explains that for many years, multiple scientific studies have been conducted relating to the correlation between birth order and personality. She goes on to say that generally …show more content…
speaking, depending on birth order, children display certain traits. These traits do not stereotype each child, however, in some cases, it can be used to explain certain behaviors. Gregoire goes on to say that
Since the 1970s, thousands of scientific studies on birth order have been conducted, but psychologists often disagree about how much of a role birth order actually plays in development. However, some common aspects of the personalities of oldest, middle, and youngest children are consistent across the literature. (Gregoire)
As children grow up, they develop their own unique personality and typical behavior patterns. This idea that personality is partially dependent on birth order is not accurate. Birth order, to an extent, has small effects on who people turn out to be. However, it is wrong to assume that this is the major deciding factor in why people become who they become.
In many cases, older children blame parents for spoiling the baby of the family, thus creating an entitled brat, but whether this is true or not needs to be reevaluated. Most often, children share the same set of parents, however, they are not raised by the same parents. Based on children’s birth order, they typically exhibit different personality traits. An article from the Huffington Post outlines the idea that parents “parent” each of their children in a different and specific way. “Parents are different with each of their children, and no two children ever take the same role” (Gross). Since each child, depending on age, gender, and emotional level, has a specific set of needs, parents have to approach all needs in a careful and different manner. As such, each child is treated in a contrasting way, thus contributing to a unique personality and skill set.
In actuality, birth order does not affect personality so much as it affects parenting style. Personality is a complex term that accounts for many factors. Some would argue that birth order is included in this sentiment. While each child in the birth order lineup typically demonstrates a few certain traits, this does not make them who they are or give them their identity. Parenting style, age gap, gender, and socioeconomic status can and should also be taken into account when studying birth order. “Parents tend to be different with each of their children with no two children taking the same role” (Borreli). It is time to start looking at the effect that parenting style leaves on children, rather than purely blaming birth order. Each household has a different set of parents, and often times, within the same household, each child experiences a different set of parents. Since each child has a unique set of needs, they are cared for and responded to differently by their parents. This is a big contributing factor in personality and behavior.
Additionally, birth order has been misrepresented on the list of “Key Personality Factors.” To an extent, birth order has reign and rule over who people become, however, it is seen almost exclusively as the main reason people turn out to be the way they are. A writer from encyclopedia.com addressed this when she explained that “Being born first, last, or somewhere in the middle is itself not of significance. What matters is how that birth order affects how a child is treated by parents and other siblings and how that child feels about it” (Thomson). While parents may not realize it, they are teaching their children how to behave, especially toward the people within their household. Because tiny humans are very malleable, things that are seen as miniscule or unimportant to adults can be blown out of proportion by children. The way that children are responded to, treated on a continual basis, and generally speaking, cared for, is a big determining factor in the shaping of their personality.
While birth order can sometimes be considered a contributing factor in the personality and behavior department, the methods used to determine this are often flawed. An article from The Washington Post explained that the way birth order and personality are measured is oftentimes biased. In order to effectively measure it, the way it is tested needs to be changed. “A within family study with a large sample size and a longitudinal approach [is] one which the researchers measured the oldest kid, and then waited for their younger siblings to grow up and reach the same age before being measured” (Ohlheiser). To some degree, birth order does affect personality and behavior, In order to effectively measure this, though, there must be a control group; something that remains constant in each different observation and study. As Ohlheiser described, it is better to measure each child at the same age to accurately determine how important or miniscule birth order really is in light of personality and behavioral patterns. Until more studies are approached from this angle, they will not give information that can be used as a credible source.
In order to accurately look at the effect of something, one must make certain that the data is reliable and the methods used allow for an unbiased result. One of the authors from Newspaper Source Plus discusses firstborns in relations to the rest of their siblings. It addresses the idea that the eldest child is the smartest, while showing that the data used to find this information is flawed. This could possibly be proven IF the information and tactics used were unbiased and covered a wide range of resources. “Many of the studies trying to back up these truisms with evidence uses shoddy methodology that either fails to control for family size, economic status or parents’ educational attainment or extrapolates about dynamics within a family from comparisons between families…” (Waldman). Since personality is a complex culmination of things, it requires a culmination of things to be accounted for. There are multiple components and factors that go into one’s personality. If these things are swept under the rug or simply forgotten about, any study that comes about is not giving enough information to truly measure the effect that birth order has on personality.
In the past, many have heavily associated birth order with personality, almost making them interchangeable.
Author Cosima Marriner explains, with the help of other psychologists, that birth order does not play as heavy a role in personality as parenting style does. “Professor Haslam said that while birth order could play a part in family dynamics when children were growing up, it had no bearing on what [they] were like as adults” (Marriner). As children grow up, they can sometimes, in a sense, be hidden in the shadow of their other siblings. While this sometimes plays a big role as they grow up, once the children reach adulthood, that role becomes smaller and does not take up as much space. Birth order more so affects family dynamics than personality. Its influence is more directly associated within a family and who plays which
role.
There is no absolute correlation between behavior and personality for children based on birth order in their family. As a result of this information, it is unfair to blame the personality traits and behavioral patterns of oneself on something that has little to no effect at all. Across the board, oldest, middle, youngest, and only children share certain mannerisms and conduct with each other, however, this is not what makes and shapes people into who they are.