People often look at birth order as a determining factor in one's personality. Though these claims are widely unsubstantiated, a majority of people believe them to be true. Why? Well, because in some cases the stereotype matches the birth order, and with that come confirmation bias. The masses are willing to take the evidence that supports their belief in birth order's effect on personality, and dismiss information against those beliefs.
When I read this topic, I thought it would be a simple, cut and dry answer: confirmation bias, but after doing a little bit of research I found an article that has findings from two recent studies that may bolster birth order as a factor in personality. Citing the finding that when it comes to ma
rriage, many people marry a partner who shares their place in the birth order. First-borns with first-borns, middle-borns with middle borns, even only children seem to seek out other only-children. Quite the interesting finding.
Though there appears to be some evidence backing birth order, it still is seen as much more influential on personality than it probably is. With more studies and experiments hopefully one day the public will have a realistic idea of the effect of birth order on personality.
Birth Order and Personality: Pop Psychology?
Birth order is an interesting topic. Of course if someone tells you that first borns are leaders then you will tend to find that quality in them. But I wonder how true it is or is it just confirmation bias like you suggest.
I have always found birth order very interesting. In elementary school I actually remember noticing that many of the people who were younger siblings had often been pampered much more and had often seen movies and knew things that were considered more 'adult' because they had older siblings who had shown them that. Although it could have very well been confirmation bias that made me believe this.
interesting topic!! I have dealt with birth order my whole life, being the youngest in my family. My brother always claims that I am much more spoiled and "babied" than him (and maybe it's true..) I think that it is super interesting that most people marry someone with the same birth order as them! So cool. Great post!
It does seem to me that birth order does have some effect on the personality of the person. I have come to believe in general that it mostly has to do with nurture rather than nature. As shown in your picture the youngest one does tend to be the most spoiled. I know in my family that is the case. My little brother is so pampered. It also seems to me that it has some to do with the genes as well. Maybe it is me just stereotyping, but most of the youngest children that I know are more outgoing than the older ones. Whatever the case it is interesting to see the trends that the different siblings take on.