CLASS 15

Social Development

How to tell that you are not mom’s favorite

Birth Order and Personality

Alfred Adler ( ) Inferiority complex Compensation Birth order

The Old Research Achievement Motivation Dependency Popularity

Ernst & Angst (1983) –Complete review of research –Effects are weak and scattered –Result: birth order ideas fell into disrepute

Sulloway (1996) book “Born to Rebel”

His Theory of Sibling Competition Exploited two new developments in modern psychology 1. Evolutionary psychology 2. The Big Five

Family dynamics All children want parental approval We want to fit into the family somewhere i.e., we try to find our niche

First borns Have first choice Pick the most approved behaviors: –Study and behave yourself Explains their higher school achievement

Also advantaged by size and strength Therefore dominate other siblings Identify with power and authority Later continue to seek high status

But as others grow, so does insecurity of first-borns Continue to be concerned about maintaining status hierarchies In short, they are conservative

LATER BORNS Disadvantaged in two ways: 1. STANDARD ROLE IS TAKEN –Therefore, need to be innovative, flexible –Continue to try new approaches to life –ie open to experience

2. THEY ARE UNDERPRIVILEGED –Constant striving for equal privileges –Later they identify with downtrodden and reject hierarchies –As adults, they are politically liberal

Two Sources of Data Historical research Contemporary personality surveys

Historical Research Famous families Children more different than one would expect Achieve in different ways

Some first borns Most American presidents Most British Prime Ministers Stephen HarperHillary Clinton

Some Later borns Joan of Arc Karl Marx Lenin Jefferson Rousseau Virginia Wolf Darwin

Personality Surveys FBs more conservative, conscientious LBs more liberal and open to experience But depends on the method

Qualifications to theory Genetics more important Only children Interactions with: –Temperament –Gender

Critique Do these effects extend outside the home ? Emerge later under stress ?

Writing Assignment #2 Write words comparing two people you know: One who swears a lot vs. one who never swears OR One who says ‘like’ a lot to one who doesn’t USE BIG FIVE, INTELLIGENCE, AGE, ETC.

Submit to following address OR