2. Why this topic?
I have developed an
interest through
previous psychology
classes.
I feel that my attributes
perfectly match the
typical characteristics
of my rank which is
first-born.
4. The Conundrum
There are very extreme views as to whether
or not there is actually a correlation between
birth order and personality.
There has been a large increase in psychologist’s
studying personality and how it develops.
There are psychologists that vehemently believe
they are related; there is psychologist that claim
this is a completely irrational belief.
5. Alfred Adler’s Table of Characteristics and Family Situation of Position
POSITION FAMILY SITUATION CHILD'S CHARACTERISTICS
ONLY
Birth is a miracle. Parents have no previous
experience. Retains 200% attention from both parents.
May become rival of one parent. Can be over-
protected and spoiled.
Likes being the center of adult attention. Often has
difficulty sharing with siblings and peers. Prefers adult
company and uses adult language.
OLDEST
Dethroned by next child. Has to learn to share. Parent
expectations are usually very high. Often given
responsibility and expected to set an example.
May become authoritarian or strict. Feels power is his
right. Can become helpful if encouraged. May turn to
father after birth of next child.
SECOND He has a pacemaker. There is always someone ahead.
Is more competitive, wants to overtake older child.
May become a rebel or try to outdo everyone.
Competition can deteriorate into rivalry.
MIDDLE
Is "sandwiched" in. May feel squeezed out of a
position of privilege and significance.
May be even-tempered, "take it or leave it" attitude.
May have trouble finding a place or become a fighter
of injustice.
YOUNGEST
Has many mothers and fathers. Older children try to
educate him. Never dethroned.
Wants to be bigger than the others. May have huge
plans that never work out. Can stay the "baby."
Frequently spoiled.
TWIN
One is usually stronger or more active. Parents may
see one as the older.
Can have identity problems. Stronger one may become
the leader.
"GHOST CHILD"
Child born after the death of the first child may have a
"ghost" in front of him. Mother may become over-
protective.
Child may exploit mother's over-concern for his well-
being, or he may rebel, and protest the feeling of being
compared to an idealized memory.
ADOPTED CHILD
Parents may be so thankful to have a child that they
spoil him. They may try to compensate for the loss of
his biological parents.
Child may become very spoiled and demanding.
Eventually, he may resent or idealize the biological
parents.
ONLY BOY AMONG GIRLS Usually with women all the time, if father is away.
May try to prove he is the man in the family, or
become effeminate.
ONLY GIRL AMONG BOYS Older brothers may act as her protectors.
Can become very feminine, or a tomboy and outdo the
brothers. May try to please the father.
ALL BOYS If mother wanted a girl, can be dressed as a girl.
Child may capitalize on assigned role or protest it
vigorously.
ALL GIRLS May be dressed as a boy.
Child may capitalize on assigned role or protest it
vigorously.
6. Researchers Contributing to the Theory on
Relation Between Birth order and Personality
Alfred Adler
Deemed most influential on this issue as he first
proposed this theory that there was a relationship.
Frank Sulloway
SupportAdler’s idea that our personality is going to be
impacted by our rank.
Delroy Paulhus
Believed that our birth order does have an effect on
personality, however, he also believed that we have to
account for external factors such as a parental
divorce.
7. Researchers Opposing Correlation between
Birth Order and Personality
Alan E. Stewart
Believes we’re not fated to live out a life
dominated by the accident of the timing of our
birth.You can’t change your actual birth order, but
you can change the way you think about your role
in the family.
Daniel Eckstein and Eric Kaufman
Point out that perceptions and beliefs about birth
order may have their effects, in large part,
because parents impose their own stereotypes
onto their children.
8. Actual Birth Order and Psychological
Birth Order
Stewart distinguished between “actual” birth
order, or ABO (the numerical rank order into
which you are born in your family of origin)
and “psychological” birth order, or PBO (self-
perceived position in the family.
Stewart developed better statistical methods
to measure birth order and personality on a
more complex level.
9. Big 5 Dimensions of Personality
Most used test by psychologist when
determining birth order and personality.
Traits of Big Five Personality
Openness
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
Agreeableness
Neuroticism
Each of the five factors has six facets by
which it is measured.
10. Neuroticism
Anxiety: level of free floating anxiety
Angry Hostility: tendency to experience anger
and related states such as frustration and
bitterness
Depression: tendency to experience feelings of
guilt, sadness, despondency and loneliness
Self-Consciousness: shyness or social anxiety
Impulsiveness: tendency to act on cravings and
urges rather than reining them in and delaying
gratification
Vulnerability: general susceptibility to stress
11. Extraversion
Warmth: interest in and friendliness towards
others
Gregariousness: preference for the company of
others
Assertiveness: social ascendancy and
forcefulness of expression
Activity: pace of living
Excitement Seeking: need for environmental
stimulation
Positive Emotions: tendency to experience
positive emotions
12. Openness
Fantasy: receptivity to the inner world of
imagination
Aesthetics: appreciation of art and beauty
Feelings: openness to inner feelings and
emotions
Actions: openness to new experiences on a
practical level
Ideas: intellectual curiosity
Values: readiness to re-examine own values
and those of authority figures
13. Agreeableness
Trust: belief in the sincerity and good intentions
of others
Straightforwardness: frankness in expression
Altruism: active concern for the welfare of others
Compliance: response to interpersonal conflict
Modesty: tendency to play down own
achievements and be humble.
Tender-Mindedness: attitude of sympathy for
others.
14. Conscietiousness
Competence: belief in own self efficacy
Order: personal organization
Dutifulness: emphasis placed on importance of
fulfilling moral obligations
Achievement Striving: need for personal
achievement and sense of direction
Self-Discipline: capacity to begin tasks and follow
through to completion despite boredom or
distractions.
Deliberation: tendency to think things through
before acting or speaking.
15. Further Areas of Study in Birth
Order and Personality
Relationships (especially romantic
relationships and their success rates)
Whether or not gender has influence in
personality
Relation to career choice
The multitude of variables that can
potentially affect personality development
Parental recommendations for approaching
different positions of birth
