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percivalI'm currently reading Frank J. Sulloway's (sp?) Born to Rebel.
As an only child, I'd like to ask your opinion of the theories he proposes.
Basically, firstborns are far more conscientious and less open to experience.
They also tend to be more aggressive and extroverted, and somewhat more neurotic.
Firstborns copy their parents/turn to their parents a lot.
Laterborns are gentler, more introverted, and definitely more open to new experiences.
The reason he gives is that each child looks for his/her own family niche. This will be an important influence on his/her personality; the second highest (?) after innate characteristics. Since birth rank is a powerful influence on the type of niche available, it's a good predictor of various personality traits. He even maintains that it's a better predictor than gender!
What do you think about this?
As an only child, I'd like to ask your opinion of the theories he proposes.
Basically, firstborns are far more conscientious and less open to experience.
They also tend to be more aggressive and extroverted, and somewhat more neurotic.
Firstborns copy their parents/turn to their parents a lot.
Laterborns are gentler, more introverted, and definitely more open to new experiences.
The reason he gives is that each child looks for his/her own family niche. This will be an important influence on his/her personality; the second highest (?) after innate characteristics. Since birth rank is a powerful influence on the type of niche available, it's a good predictor of various personality traits. He even maintains that it's a better predictor than gender!
What do you think about this?
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Date: 2003-03-10 05:00 pm (UTC)Most people peg me as the eldest, but following the description you have outlined, I am my family's black sheep, and it fits. I am introverted and open to new experiences. I am fairly aggressive, but have been becoming more gentler as life progresses.
My older brother is a perfect example of my dysfunctional family. He is not only neurotic, but he is every bit as deluded as my mom and dad. He's copied their behavior down to the point of emulating abuse and creepiness. Extroverted? Probably not? Aggressive and neurotic? Yeah! It's the psychology of the book gone bad.
I just have bad press for being the eldest because I'm responsible, which is something people often associate with being the eldest. Your Dr. Sulloway seems a little wiser.
Catherine