Impact Of Birth Order

The Lasting Impact of Birth Order

Abstract
There is extensive research that pertains to the lasting impact birth order and family size have on an individual’s life. However, there have been few concrete conclusions that can explain how birth order affects one’s development and personality. Previous studies have focused on a connection between birth order and education, employment earnings, and delinquency rates, but have failed to convince researchers of a connection between birth order and social development. More recent research shows birth order has a significant impact on behavior and character traits. By compiling several different research conclusions from various studies, it becomes clear
For example, a middle child may be a skeptic of having another middle child because they understand some of the disadvantages. Similarly, an only child may want a large family to ensure their children have relationships with siblings. Whatever the case, most parents see an importance in the number of children they have and the birth order of their children. Birth order has been linked to intelligence, delinquency, and psychiatric disease (Marini & Kurtz, 2011). How people handle situations and make life decisions can also be linked to the order they are born in their family. It is important for couples to consider this recent research when planning a family because of the new research’s conclusion that a person’s overall personality can be connected to birth order (Szobiova, 2008). One large part of understanding development deals with personality. Studies involving birth order and personality have gone on for decades. Only recently have some new findings changed how some psychologists feel about the influence of birth order on
The purpose of this section will be to summarize past research about birth order and personality and define what is meant by the actual term personality. In 1936, Stagner and Katzoff, of Akron University, had this to say about personality as it relates to birth order: “Psychological literature is full of statements as to the effect of being an only child, an oldest child, a youngest child, ect., upon the personality. Unfortunately, the evidence upon which these statements are based is conspicuous mainly by its absence. The fallacies of personal impressions, selected cases and unwarranted interpretations are nowhere in psychology” (Stagner & Katzoff, 1936). This conclusion was accepted by psychologists for about 50 years before opposing findings encouraged more research. Personality was viewed as fluid behavior that adapted to an environment or age. Differences in personality were believed to be because of differences in social class or physical size (Jefferson, Herbst, & McCrae, 1998). While some researchers admitted to seeing little or weak evidence relating to birth order and personality development, no real evidence was published. Contrary to these beliefs, profound psychologist such as Alfred Adler, Sigmund Freud, and Carl Jung continued to research psychosocial development and sibling relations. Their work continues to be a foundation