Birth Order on the Effects of Personality - Literature review Example

Birth Order on the Effects of Personality Birth Order on the Effects of Personality Introduction Personality is central to an individual’s behavior. The psychological responses that a person makes in their environments are largely dependent on their personalities. It is a combination of one’s behavior pattern, characteristics/traits, opinions, thoughts and other mental processes that are observed consistently in a person. It is the inner self of an individual that dictates how they react to situations in the surrounding. Every person has a distinct personality that can be manifested through their thought patterns and eventual behavior they exhibit. Personality development has been discussed lengthily over the years, and several psychologists have theorized with different claims. Many scholars have also written about personality development; what influences it and to what extent those factors affect how one psychologically develops. One distinguished theorist whose work has been broadly referenced in the arena of psychology is Alfred Adler. Adler did relate an individual’s birth position to their personality development; a perspective that underpins the role of parenting in the psychological health of individuals. This paper aims at comprehensively exploring five pieces of literature and describing the many point views that scholars have had in connection with Adler’s theory. The necessity to gain insight into the exact factors that contribute to and affect personality development has prompted several psychologists to conduct empirical researchers. Several studies have been carried, specifically, to determine how birth order impacts on the development of members of a particular family. In a study carried out by Nyman (1995) to determine the contributions of birth position in shaping up individuals’ personality, the profound correlation between the two is saliently uncovered. The researcher goes about this task by constructing tasks that explore the diverse personalities across the birth positions of different subjects. Having carried out the study, the researcher finds that, indeed, people show different behaviors depending on their positions of birth. Nyman (1995) highlights that individuals react as they do because of the judgment they have on their positions of birth. For example, issues of violence and conflicts in the family among the siblings may erupt when some individuals realize they are not favored by their positions. What they make of their positions in the family will direct their behavior patterns and thus shapes their personality as they grow up. This explains why some would take up their responsibilities while others grow up lazy, unsociable and violent. Consequently, in two studies conducted by Stewart, Stewart and Campbell (2001), the issue of birth position and its relationship to an individual’s personality is widely reconnoitered. The research links the perception people have about their birth position and some factors within the family environment and personality development. The factors around the family surroundings were taken into consideration because of their large contribution to people perception about their birth positions. For example, poverty may pile pressure on a first born individual to work a little bit harder to provide for the family. From this study, Stewart, Stewart, and Campbell (2001) report that the psychological perception that individuals have on their birth positions determines the traits they develop and subsequent behaviors. This study found out that personality development of individuals is entirely based on the interplay between the perceived birth position (not the actual birth position) and the factors that surround the family. This, according to the three researchers, implies that birth position in relation to personality development is something that is processed on the mental faculty. Stewart, Stewart, and Campbell (2001) agree with Adler’s position that what one construes about their position is what shapes their actions. They, however, emphasize the role of the family in shaping up a person’s judgment of their birth position. Consequently, Phillips, Bedeian, Mossholder and Touliatos, (1988) maintains the position of personality theorists including Alfred Adler view that relates personality to the birth position. Founded on this perspective, this study aimed at determining the influence of birth order and personality in the context of job environment. Personality would, therefore, be examined based on the outcome of work tasks. Firstborn, middle borns, as well as the last borns, were studied to analyze how they responded to specified work-related activities that demonstrated their personalities. Phillips et al. (1988) found out that those born first in their families seem to be so domineering, result-oriented and responsible compared to people in other birth positions. According to Phillips et al. (1988), these people are more likely to dominate in the leadership positions. However, the first and the lastborns are similarly gregarious and outgoing. Most of the socially desirable characteristics are developed in persons who are born first in the family. Justifiably, the burden on the first born children twists them to live responsibly, inspire and lighten the way for their followers (Phillips et al., 1988) Lohman, Lohman and Christensen (1985) further illuminate the underlying issues concerning the relationship between birth order and personality development. The study focused more on the bright into light the distinction between the actual birth order and psychological position. In a rather similar explanation to those of other personality theorists, Lohman, Lohman and Christensen (1985) agree that the interpretation of individuals regarding their birth position could be non-factual. Although the perception of their birth position may be misconceived, it will greatly impact on what actions and traits they exhibit. Joyce emphasizes that people tend to have untrue opinions about themselves having misinterpreted the dynamics relating to their birth positions. They, therefore, generate responses that build up to become their long lasting personalities. The researchers point out that the construction of certain self-perceptions is the epitome of personality development. Whatever they make of themselves in those particular birth positions determines how they relate to the environment (Lohman, Lohman, & Christensen, 1985). Significantly, the study carried out by Milliren and Dubrovich (2012) supports Adler’s theory. The researchers explain that the pressure the society puts on different persons in various birth positions is the main determinants of individuals’ personalities. According to Milliren and Dubrovich (2012), children struggle with issues of identity and sense of belonging. This is, according to these psychologists, the prime foundations of personality development. For example, first-born children are constantly challenged by their parents to be an example to the young siblings. This makes them act in ways that can meet such expectations. This view agrees with several other positions discussed above in that it focuses on the discovery and perception that an individual has on their surroundings. If they go through experiences that challenge them to act in specific ways, as expected of their birth positions, they will reconstruct their personalities accordingly (Milliren & Dubrovich, 2012). This viewpoint further supports Adler’s viewpoint on personality development. However, the theory (Adler’s perspective) do not clearly account for why individuals can act contrary to the expectations of his theory. For example, the above research has portrayed firstborns as responsible and good-mannered person but why there would be individuals with ill personalities among the firstborns is not well supported. Conclusion As indicated, the role of birth position in influencing an individual’s personality development cannot be overlooked. Adler’s conceptualization of birth position as a force in personality development has received numerous supports. Several studies have been conducted that have indeed proved that the position in which a person is born undoubtedly affect their overall personalities. These claims have been supported by the observations made in most first, middle and lastborns who, apparently, respond and behave in the manner predicted by the researchers aligned with this perspective. However, the theory is criticized for failing to explain adequately the contrary of its conceptualizations. All in all, the reviewed articles have converged to confirm that there is a great impact created by birth position on one’s personality development. References Lohman, J. F., Lohman, T. G., & Christensen, O. (1985). Psychological Position and Perceived Sibling Differences. Individual Psychology: The Journal of Adlerian Theory, Research & Practice, 41(3), 313-327. Milliren, A., & Dubrovich, M. (2012). Meet the Farfels: An activity for discovering and discussing birth position. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 68(1), 50-59. Nyman, L. (1995). The identification of birth order personality attributes. Journal Of Psychology, 129(1), 51-59. Phillips, A. S., Bedeian, A. G., Mossholder, K. W., & Touliatos, J. (1988). Birth Order and Selected Work-Related Personality Variables. Individual Psychology: The Journal of Adlerian Theory, Research & Practice, 44(4), 492-499. Stewart, A. E., Stewart, E. A., & Campbell, L. F. (2001). The Relationship of Psychological Birth Order to the Family Atmosphere and to Personality. Journal of Individual Psychology, 57(4), 363-387. Read More