Not long ago I got acquainted with an idea that the birth order may affect person’s character and even his/her future. I took an interest in it. But is that truth? I made research and read an article (written by Joshua K. Hartshome) on this topic in order to find the answer.
For decades the evidence has been inconclusive, but new studies show that family position may truly affect intelligence and personality. Author mentions that until very recently there were no convincing findings that linked birth order to personality or behavior, and this concept was thought not to be supported by the evidence. For example, by 2003 cognitive scientist Steven Pinker of Harvard University found it necessary to spend only two pages of his 439-page discussion of nature and nurture, The Blank Slate (Penguin), dismissing birth order as irrelevant. Mr. Joshua argues with that, and, in fact, complains that many people cannot understand what he studies, they do not consider this topic, The Birth Order, to be serious. So he provides his point of view with several facts of evidence. First, the author gives a description of the study made by Norwegian scientists. There is negative correlation between IQ and birth order: the more older siblings one has, the lower one’s IQ. Secondly, it is told about a research made by him and his colleagues. They have discovered that birth order influences whom we choose as friends and spouses. For example, firstborns are more likely to associate with firstborns. However, Mr. Joshua understands that these facts are small enough that it would not make any sense to organize college admissions or dating pools around birth order. Nevertheless, he looks forward to the day when enough research will be made in order to prove birth order’s influence on our lives.
To tell the truth, I really enjoyed reading the article. It is written in understandable language and is easy to read. I got much new information from it, and read about amazing thoughts and facts. Anyway, I couldn’t find the answer to my question. But, as now I’ve already understood, nobody knows the answer. As for now, "birth order affect” is just an assumption. And maybe one of us will be that person who will find valuable evidence to this concept!
