Last Name 1st Name Last Name Dr. Mary Spelman English 252829

Last Name 1first Name Last Namedr Mary Spelmanenglish 12235 September

Last Name 1first Name Last Namedr Mary Spelmanenglish 12235 September

Last Name 1 First Name Last Name Dr. Mary Spelman English September 2012 Research Journal 1 Have you ever thought about the personality difference between you and your siblings? Have you ever imaged what would happen if you and one of your siblings switched birth order? Will your personality stay the same? “Birth order is a fact, a given, of the child’s existence, a location in a social structure.

This location, Alder felt, leaves an imprint which is often recognizable even in adult life; it affects adult personality’ (Shulman and Mosak). Adler also held the opinion that birth order provided a reference point for locating not only the child in relation to siblings but also adults, which includes the child-parent relationship and the relationship with the public society. I totally agree with those opinions. Adler thinks even though children are born in the same family, they are not born into the same environment, especially the psychological environment. Instead of the real birth order, the psychological situation is the key issue that influences the personalities (Shulman and Mosak).

Shulman and Mosak share many opinions on the birth order influence; however, they do have some different views. Shulman holds the opinion that only children who never had a rival may be pampered and never learn to share. First-born children prefer to be the first and foremost; second children start late and have to catch up. Middle children are surrounded by competitors and may feel squeezed; youngest children are never dethroned by children born after them. However, Mosak just breaks his discussion into these categories: eldest child, middle child, last child, and only child.

He also brought variable questions related to birth order, and suggested that we take as many variables as possible into account when we are doing our research. For example, the second child can be the youngest one in a family with two children, the middle child in a family with three children, and an older child in a large family (Shulman and Mosak). I would prefer Mosak’s opinion. We can’t summarize the typical personality of certain children before we take into account many more variables. However, after we have considered these factors, we may be allowed to state that birth order does affect our personality in certain ways.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding how birth order influences personality has been a subject of psychological inquiry for decades. The relationship between a child's position within their family and their personality traits involves complex interactions of psychological, social, and environmental factors. Key psychologists such as Alfred Adler, Bernard Shulman, and Harold Mosak have contributed substantial insights into this subject, highlighting how birth order can shape individual differences and social behaviors.

Adler's theory emphasizes that birth order places individuals within a specific social and familial context, which leaves a lasting imprint on personality development. He believed that the child's birth position influences their sense of self and their relationships with others. For example, first-borns often develop leadership skills but may also exhibit traits of perfectionism or rigidity, stemming from their need to uphold their position. Conversely, last-born children tend to develop more rebellious or charming traits, partly due to their position as the youngest in the family (Shulman & Mosak, 2012).

Additionally, Adler argued that psychological environment significantly influences personality development, sometimes more than birth order itself. Even siblings born into the same family experience different environments, which can account for personality differences beyond their ordinal position. For instance, parental attention, socioeconomic status, and individual temperament can alter the typical traits associated with birth order, emphasizing the importance of considering multiple variables when studying personality.

Shulman and Mosak (2012) offer further nuances, distinguishing their perspectives into categorical differences based on the number of siblings and familial size. Shulman emphasizes that only children who lack rivals tend to be pampered, possibly leading to traits like independence or self-centeredness. First-born children tend to prefer leadership roles and may develop a sense of responsibility early on. Middle children often face unique challenges—they may feel squeezed between siblings and develop skills related to negotiation and diplomacy to carve their niche. Youngest children, on the other hand, frequently experience less pressure to conform and may hence develop more playful or outgoing personalities.

Mosak, while agreeing with many of these general traits, advocates for a more nuanced approach that considers numerous variables. He suggests that the specific appointments of birth order categories—such as whether a middle child is in a family with three children versus five—can dramatically influence personality traits. For example, a second child in a two-child family is effectively the youngest, while in larger families, their role can be quite different. This perspective aligns with the developmental understanding that context and individual circumstances modulate the influence of birth order.

Importantly, modern research supports the notion that birth order plays a noticeable but not deterministic role in personality development. Evidence suggests that while birth order can influence traits such as independence, leadership, and social assertiveness, other factors such as parenting style, socioeconomic status, and individual temperament exert significant influence (Sulloway, 1992; Falbo & Polit, 1986). For instance, highly involved and supportive parenting may mitigate some of the negative traits associated with birth order, such as rebelliousness among youngest children.

Modern psychological studies, thus, advocate for an integrative approach, recognizing birth order as a relevant but not exclusive predictor of personality. They emphasize the importance of considering multiple variables, including family dynamics, cultural influences, and personality temperaments, to better understand individual differences. Such an understanding underscores the complexity of personality development and calls for comprehensive research that transcends simplistic categorizations.

In conclusion, the influence of birth order on personality remains a significant area of interest within developmental psychology. While traditional theories highlight consistent traits associated with ordinal position—such as leadership in first-borns or sociability in youngest children—current research advocates for a nuanced understanding that considers multiple interacting variables. The variability in individual experiences within different family contexts supports a balanced perspective: birth order influences personality but does not determine it outright. Future studies that incorporate broader environmental and psychological factors will likely enhance our understanding of how personality develops through familial and social influences.

References

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• Sulloway, F. J. (1992). Born to Rebel: Birth Order, Family Dynamics, and Creative Lives. New York: Pantheon Books.
• Shulman, B. H., & Mosak, H. H. (2012). Birth order and ordinal position: Two Adlerian views. Journal of Individual Psychology, 33, 114–128.
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