Personality traits due to Birth Order - a myth?
I am fascinated by what traits people tend to have depending on their birth order. I have frequently seen the oldest sibling being the one who was expected to be the responsible one, the more take charge person, the more conservative one. It is impossible to take one person and assume they will automatically have such traits given their birth order though.
Many factors can influence these typical traits:
- emotionally or physically absent parents, siblings
- age differences
- environmental and economic influences
- sibling personalities
- family size
But wait.. <rewind> now I am reading that very few scientific studies have successfully proven that birth order results in particular personality traits. So basically all these years I have been spent making general assumptions about this, an interesting revelation.
While there is agreement that birth order can result in some general tendencies, the fundamental extroversion and introversion personality traits are related more strongly to genetic factors (vs birth order). These roles as well as life’s influences combined help play a role in the larger picture.
Regardless of what science says we know people have different personalities.
Here are some interesting personality tests:
- Signal Patterns - personality patterns
- Signal Patterns - music patterns
- The Big 5 - personality test
- New Big 5 - personality test
As well as some recommended references for the topic of birth order:
Do you have an experience you would like to share? Leave a comment.
Many thanks,
-njppa
Tags: birth order, personality
Cheryl
Very interesting topic, and being the middle of 3, I too have always found this fascinating. It seems as though all 3 of us sibs do tend to have the ‘typical’ birth order personalities, but it is interesting to see that environment, etc. can have a lot to do with these traits too.
I will read more about this, as I’ve noticed over the years similarities with other families with 3 children the same traits as the 3 of us, so I will definitely check out your links!
buffy
I come from a family of 4 girls (nope no brothers) of which I’m the youngest. My eldest sister is certainly (even now) the organiser…take charge person and definitely the most conservative of us girls.
I could relate to so many posts on your blog that I added you to my blogroll and gave you a ‘plug’ in my latest blog "sisters ~ wicked"
I’ll be back to read more…thank you for sharing!
Buffy