Birth Order By Alfred Adler
So in Psychology we are learning about differnt Psychoanalysts and the one I was given was Alfred Adler. The most intersting thing I have found from him is his "birth order" theory, enjoy...
First Born-typical achievers, interested in power
Gets undivided attention of parents (good), but parents are basically incompetent (bad). Is "dethroned" by second child. If child is old enough to understand the significance of this (3 yrs. minimum), can be good. Otherwise, can result in inferiority complex. Most likely to seek out therapy ("I'll fix it"). Possible outcomes: Given responsibility to take care of & set example for younger sibling. As adults, are very responsible & like power. Dethronement can result in inferiority complex & feeling of not being loved. Research: First (& only) children have average 5 IQ points higher. In general, the fewer the number of children, and the greater the spacing between children, the smarter each child is likely to be. (There is a -.30 correlation between IQ and family size). Achievers: 52% of Presidents, 91% of original astronauts, 56% of generals and admirals. May become authoritarian or strict. Feels power is his right. Can become helpful if encouraged. May turn to father after birth of next child.
Can feel dethroned. Inferior to younger child
Favorable outcome -- feel responsibility, take care of others.
Unfavorable outcome: Insecure, overly reliant on rules.
Second - the best position in many ways - a natural "peace-maker".
Has a pacesetter in older sibling. Has competent parents. Can never be "dethroned". Competition with older child can be healthy or unhealthy. Healthy competition can stimulate faster development. Sometimes they surpass the first-born in achievement, but they are seldom as concerned with power. If second child can not compete with older sibling, can produce severe feelings of inferiority. Typical bad scenario: Oldest is a boy, second is a girl, and they are close together in age. If the girl is better than the boy, it kills the boy's ego. If the boy trounces on the girl, it makes her inferiority feelings even worse (and girls have it tough enough as it is). Least likely to be in therapy. Is more competitive, wants to overtake older child. May become a rebel or try to outdo everyone. Competition can deteriorate into rivalry.
Middle
May be even-tempered, "take it or leave it" attitude. May have trouble finding a place or become a fighter of injustice.
Has a model in the older child, must share attention from the beginning. Doesn't realize until later that the older child was alone beforee.
Favorable outcome: Be ambitious. Want to be at least as good as the older child. Strong social interest.
Unfavorable outcome: Rebellious and envious. Permanent tencdency to try to surpass others. Difficulty in role of follower.
Youngest
Never even partially dethroned Can be pampered by parents. Some research shows that pampered children have a higher chance of becoming alcoholics. Always seeks attention - tends to become family clown - actors, TV weathermen (Willard Scott). Wants to be bigger than the others. May have huge plans that never work out. Can stay the "baby." Frequently spoiled.
Lots of attention. Often pampered.
Favorable: Much stimulation. Many chances to compete.
Unfavorable: Feel inferior to everyone..
Only
Like first born who has never been dethroned. Spends more time in the company of adults and tends to mature rapidly. Likely to become individualistic & struggle with perfection. Likes being the center of adult attention. Often has difficulty sharing with siblings and peers. Prefers adult company and uses adult language. Gets undivided attention, often pampered, may compete with father.
First Born-typical achievers, interested in power
Gets undivided attention of parents (good), but parents are basically incompetent (bad). Is "dethroned" by second child. If child is old enough to understand the significance of this (3 yrs. minimum), can be good. Otherwise, can result in inferiority complex. Most likely to seek out therapy ("I'll fix it"). Possible outcomes: Given responsibility to take care of & set example for younger sibling. As adults, are very responsible & like power. Dethronement can result in inferiority complex & feeling of not being loved. Research: First (& only) children have average 5 IQ points higher. In general, the fewer the number of children, and the greater the spacing between children, the smarter each child is likely to be. (There is a -.30 correlation between IQ and family size). Achievers: 52% of Presidents, 91% of original astronauts, 56% of generals and admirals. May become authoritarian or strict. Feels power is his right. Can become helpful if encouraged. May turn to father after birth of next child.
Can feel dethroned. Inferior to younger child
Favorable outcome -- feel responsibility, take care of others.
Unfavorable outcome: Insecure, overly reliant on rules.
Second - the best position in many ways - a natural "peace-maker".
Has a pacesetter in older sibling. Has competent parents. Can never be "dethroned". Competition with older child can be healthy or unhealthy. Healthy competition can stimulate faster development. Sometimes they surpass the first-born in achievement, but they are seldom as concerned with power. If second child can not compete with older sibling, can produce severe feelings of inferiority. Typical bad scenario: Oldest is a boy, second is a girl, and they are close together in age. If the girl is better than the boy, it kills the boy's ego. If the boy trounces on the girl, it makes her inferiority feelings even worse (and girls have it tough enough as it is). Least likely to be in therapy. Is more competitive, wants to overtake older child. May become a rebel or try to outdo everyone. Competition can deteriorate into rivalry.
Middle
May be even-tempered, "take it or leave it" attitude. May have trouble finding a place or become a fighter of injustice.
Has a model in the older child, must share attention from the beginning. Doesn't realize until later that the older child was alone beforee.
Favorable outcome: Be ambitious. Want to be at least as good as the older child. Strong social interest.
Unfavorable outcome: Rebellious and envious. Permanent tencdency to try to surpass others. Difficulty in role of follower.
Youngest
Never even partially dethroned Can be pampered by parents. Some research shows that pampered children have a higher chance of becoming alcoholics. Always seeks attention - tends to become family clown - actors, TV weathermen (Willard Scott). Wants to be bigger than the others. May have huge plans that never work out. Can stay the "baby." Frequently spoiled.
Lots of attention. Often pampered.
Favorable: Much stimulation. Many chances to compete.
Unfavorable: Feel inferior to everyone..
Only
Like first born who has never been dethroned. Spends more time in the company of adults and tends to mature rapidly. Likely to become individualistic & struggle with perfection. Likes being the center of adult attention. Often has difficulty sharing with siblings and peers. Prefers adult company and uses adult language. Gets undivided attention, often pampered, may compete with father.