The Effects Of Birth Order On Personality

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The Effects of Birth Order on Personality Krista Rangel Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Abstract The topic that I have decided on is the effects of birth order on personality. I decided on this topic because I come from a family with four kids and I find it interesting to look all of this stuff up. I think I picked a pretty specific topic but if you see anywhere where I can narrow it down I would appreciate it. I am hoping to maybe find out why I have the personality I have and if it has to do with me being the second oldest child. Have you ever wondered what makes you different than you’re siblings and friends? Does birth order really have an effect on a person’s personality? That question has been asked since the early 20th century when Alfred Adler did his research on it. There is a great majority of psychologists that believe birth order has no effect at all on one’s personality, but it is still a very much debated dispute that is still an unanswered question ("Alderian Overview of Birth Order Characteristics"). Although there have been an abundance of research projects conducted, psychologists are still coming up with answers that are leaving the public puzzled (Harris, 2000). Can we really attribute someone’s personality to their birth order? First born children are surrounded by many stereotypes and are often similar to those found in only children. First born children tend to have a lot of expectations on them since they are the first borns. They are the first ones to experience everything first and this carries high expectations with it. An example of this would be that first born children are the types that prosper on listening to authority. The people that are in authority are the voice of approval the children are looking for (Hoopes, Harper, 1987). They are multiple reports that show that first born children are the jealous type

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