The Power of Birth Order

I totally agree with the theories. I have two siblings, one older brother and sister. Compared to them, I am the only one who do not mind risk taking. For example, my sister and my brother always talks about that being stable is the first thing when they look for a job. On the other hands, in terms of a job, I am more toward entrepreneurship that involves a lot of risk than working for a company as an employee. I think these theories apply to me very well.

Great post!
From my personal experience, I am the eldest, however I was an only child for the majority of my childhood, my younger sister and I are nearly 9 years apart, so it's not the "perfect" case. As the eldest, I certainly aim for achievement, so I will give the study that.
However, in considering all of the families that I know with 3 total children (four families) this theory seems to apply very loosely or not at all. In one example, the eldest never cared to achieve anything and still struggles to find purpose in her life, in another, the eldest would strive for the bare-minimum, being surpassed in education productive experience by his younger brother. While in the third, the eldest certainly achieved the most, graduating college, while the youngest joined the US Army (risk-taker,in deed), while the middle-child has striven for anything but diplomacy, his entire life, practically seeking conflict in most cases.
I am not sold on this idea, although the research is interesting. To me, it all just comes down to Nature vs. Nurture in personalities, which is essentially an argument about free-will.

I remember being intrigued by these theories in my Intro to Psych course in high school. Personally, I find some validity in these theories, but like most I think they are largely wide-spread and specific circumstances must be considered. Nonetheless, I am my parents first-born child (of 3), and I am most definitely geared towards achievement. I excelled in school significantly more than my siblings and have a greater sense of responsibility as well. I don't think these theories should be over-looked by any means.

I agree with the findings as well. I am the oldest in my family of my parents and two younger siblings. I would say I strive to be a good role model for my younger brother and sister, and with that comes achievement. I always tried to do well in school because I knew good grades mean a lot. I have high goals in life, it could be very true my personality is shaped by my birth order.

I am the younger of two siblings and I must say I see these effects in my own life, or at least I think I do (who can know, given the power of suggestion). I have noticed some diplomatic tendencies but I feel that probably relates more to the divorces and dramatic events that have gone on in the family. Mainly I am the risk-taker. I often find myself pushing the line on everything from project due-dates to social norms just for the sake of the thrill and to see what happens when you try something different.

I can see how this would make sense for a lot of families, however of the three children, I am the middle child. My older sister is not that much of a risk taker, she will do things here or there but big adventures or throwing caution to the wind is not really her thing. My little brother is a little more willing to take risks, but of the three, I am most likely to stick my neck out there in order to try something new. I also am the most diplomatic, I think that comes from always being in the middle of things. When it comes to achievement, my brother is just a freshman in high school so it would be unfair to compare at this point. However, we are very similar in the determined to succeed area.

From a personal experience in my family and many other friends families, the oldest is more demanding and a trouble maker, the middle is the peace-keeper and very laid back, and the youngest is typically spoiled and coddled.