Does Birth Order Affect Personality Development?

There are many theories about how an individuals’ personality develop or how different characteristics and traits are formed in people. Psychiatrist Alfred Adler was the first person to suggest that the order a person was born in had a profound effect on the development of his/her personality. He called his idea the Birth Order Theory. Adler’s work on this theory cover the oldest child, commonly referred to as the first-born, as well as, the middle, youngest, and only children. The work of other experts in the field have expanded on his theory to include multiplies (twins, triplets, etc.), step-siblings, siblings with disabilities, and siblings with more than a five years gap. So according to the Birth Order Theory, how does a person’s order of birth contribute to their personality, and what are the commonly shared characteristics in each birth position? Are there other factors that can contribute or influence an individual’s personality development in relation to the Birth Order Theory that needs to be considered? If so, than how accurate is the theory really? I will attempt to answer these question.
First Born Children
According to Adler the first born child is usually a caring, nurturing individual because he/she most likely grew up helping his/her parents care for their younger siblings. For this same reason, first borns are more likely to be well organized and more responsible than their younger siblings. Sense there are no other children around when their parents give birth to them, first borns are used to receiving their undivided attention and affection prior to their siblings arrival, and if their parents did not prepare them for the arrival of a new brother or sister it can have a negative effect on the first born, mak...

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...reversals that question the validity of that assumption. She believes that it is more important to recognize the fact that twins and other multiplies try to find ways to distinguish themselves from each other (p. 124).
The siblings of twins are worth mentioning as well because they tend to feel left out – neither special nor important. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem or to feeling driven to over achieve in an attempt to attract the attention and praise they need and feel they deserved but did not get (Blair, 2011, p.126).

Works Cited

Ansbacher, H., & Ansbacher, R. (Eds.). (1956). The Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler: A
Systematic Presentation in Selections From His Writings. (1st ed.). New York, NY: Basic
Books, Inc.
Blair, L. (2011). Birth Order: What Your Position in the Family Really Tells You About Your
Character. London, UK: Piatkus.