was Adler correct in saying first borns are more achievement oriented responsible and self controlled?

Question

ALFRED ADLER IN HIS INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY, STATED THAT THE CHILDREN WHO WERE BORN FIRST ARE MORE ACHIEVEMENT-ORIENTED,RESPONSIBLE, AND SELF-CONTROLLED.LATTER -BORNS USUALLY TEND TO BE LESS CONFORMING, MORE SOCIABLE, AND MORE POPULAR. IS THAT STATEMENT OF ADLER, BIRTH ORDER, IS ACCEPTED BY MODERN PSYCHOLOGISTS?

Answer 1

I can't generalise because I haven't done the research (hence P1 grades all through my Psych classes), but I can give you my experience.

My sister is the oldest. She has a history of underachieving and hasn't always had much self-control. She's highly sociable and as a stay at home mum who doesn't drive (which isn't the popular thing these days) I wouldn't say she's a conformist.

I am the youngest of three. I'm moderately sociable, but much of the time a loner. I'm not mad about conforming, but where it doesn't compromise what's important to me, I can go along to get along. I let life lead me where it will at times, but when I set my mind to something, I am highly achievement oriented (I'm the only one in my family with a degree, and that I have done with Honours... Psych being my minor and the only area where I got bad grades).

From both observation and experience of birth order and personality, I can't help thinking Adler was a fair way off the mark.

Answer 2

I believe this to be true from experience. I'm a first born of three. I worked through high school, becoming assistant manager before going to college. My parents didn't want me to work in college but now I have a full time job. I pay as much of my bills as I can. I try to take care of myself. My brother, who is only 12 months younger, dropped out of high school after failing at it. Can't or won't keep a job. Still hasn't gotten his GED, even though it's been 3 years since he dropped out. He's a leach on my parents. My little sister is failing out of school. She's the youngest by 9 years and she's spoiled rotten. If she "coughs" she's allowed to skip school. She recently stole from a store and wasn't punished.
I work with a woman who's now in her 40s and she said things were the same when she grew up, as she was the oldest with a younger brother and sister. She graduated from high school and went into the navy, then college. Her brother and sister still have to be supported by the family. She even has to pay some of her brothers bills.

Answer 3

I don't know.I can tell you I'm more of a go getter than my younger sis. She was a more popular person than I was in her high school - still is. Sociable - she's shy. I'm the less conforming one to an extent. Now, in my family, as far as cousins - 85% of the 1st borns fall in line with Alder. The youngest? I can't see.

I think that B.O. does play a role the developement of one's psyche - parents tend to treat the oldest differently than the youngest. However, one can argue that it is then environment.

Answer 4

This is true, in a way. As children, first-borns have younger siblings that they feel they have power over. They also want to set an example, so they try and be the best they can be for their little sibling, with hopes that their little sisters and brothers will follow in their footsteps and be great. They are also usually bossy and maybe even overpowering because they are used to having power over people that are smaller than they.

Answer 5

He is incorrect as such a thing can not be generalized in cases where they are only child of their parents. Secondly, the over all growth of the first child, due to overzealous parents for her/his upbringing tends to be stunted. The second child of the same sex tends to be more intelligent and risk taking than the first; so far as normal Indian families are concerned.

Answer 6

first borns are actually normally the ones to fail as they have been spoiled and held through out their life. when they finally stand on their own they fall.

last born are the ones who normally go on to be leaders, higher achievers and more goal oriented as they were forced to fend for themselves at an earlier age.

Answer 7

my personal answer i dont believe thats true.u can raise each child to be great but once they get on their own they make their own path.it could come out that ur first child could love some of the things out in the street and ur second one could love to be home in the house and not in the world.i mean their is an opening for everything.