The Relationship Between Birth Order and Personality According to Science

Your birth order can have a significant impact on your personality, according to personality psychologist Dr. Julia Rohrer from the University of Leipzig. She discussed how siblings shape our personalities on the Science Weekly Podcast. She shared her own experience of being a first-born due to having a younger half-sibling biologically, but also growing up with an older cousin.

Dr. Rohrer explained the niche theory by Frank Sulloway, which suggests that siblings within a family compete for resources but also share genes and interests. First-borns may specialize in being like a surrogate parent, while younger siblings explore different niches, leading to greater creativity. The University of California, Los Angeles found that in some cases, first-born daughters mature earlier and help rear younger siblings.

Other studies have shown that eldest daughters are more likely to succeed and hold leadership roles. This highlights the long-term impact of birth order on individuals. Birth order not only shapes your role in the family but can also influence your adult life significantly.