Birth Order

The order that you were born within your family has a compelling impact on not only your attitudes and the kind of person you will become, but your birth order succession whether it be first, middle, or last, impacts your personality and communication style that will later influence the person you marry, the career path you choose, and how you will parent your children (Leman, 1985). Adler theorized, “that children of the same family aren’t formed in the same environment. While much is the same for all children living under the same roof, each child has a different and very individual psychological situation, because of the order of their succession” (Marie, 2014, para. 3). Adler’s theories inspired other psychologist and researchers who also concluded that not only does sibling order shape personality type, it also impacts communication styles with our parents, siblings, and outsiders, and it has an affect on our life past childhood, such as our choice in career path and life partner.

The research began in the beginning of the 19th century under the premise that “personality is susceptible to various influences, in particular to those resulting from human interaction” (Bleuler, VII, 1988). A pioneer in the linkage of birth order and personality was Alfred Adler, whose work led to many other studies examining birth order in relationship to other topics (Salmon, 2003).

First-borns are typically more motivated and achieve more than their younger siblings (Leman, 1985). These personality traits tend to come from being the center of parent’s attention, and being a role model for younger siblings (Forer, 1969). Due to the oldest child’s ability to communicate with their parents and siblings, they learn to express their feelings verbally rather than physically (Forer,