Student Questions
Birth Order Interview Questions (3 posts)
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I emailed the clinic, enquiring if a psychologist would be able to answer my interview questions for my independent research project, which focuses on birth order stereotypes: the youngest child. If a professional/expert in the field (i.e psychologist) would be able to answer these questions, and add any extra information if they can, it would be very much appreciated.
1. Do you believe that there is truth behind the concept of birth order?
2. Do you think that there is enough evidence to confirm the birth order theory?
3. Do you believe that personality is influenced by a persons birth order? Explain.
4. Do you believe that the stereotyped characteristics for the youngest child are relatively accurate? Explain.
5. Is birth order a major factor that influences child development? Explain.
6. Do you believe that the youngest child is a favourable position in a family?
7. From your experiences, what are the personality traits/characteristics of the youngest child in a family?
Are these characteristics relevant to every last born child? Why Not?
8. Do you believe that the youngest child has any advantages/disadvantages over their siblings? List/Explain.
9. Do you believe that the youngest child has a different parenting style employed when they are being raised, compared to older siblings?
10. Do you believe that youngest children are put under additional pressures compared to older siblings? Explain.
Thankyou for your time.
Sincerely,
Jessie -
Hi Jessie,
Please find my comments to your questions below.
1. Do you believe that there is truth behind the concept of birth order?
Yes, there is substantial research on birth order and the various differences between siblings.
2. Do you think that there is enough evidence to confirm the birth order theory?
In my opinion, yes there is sufficient evidence.
3. Do you believe that personality is influenced by a persons birth order? Explain.
Yes, I have worked with many children who identify with the 'middle child' syndrome and they are referred by their parents to reduce negative attention seeking, given they perceive their elder or younger siblings receive more positive attention from their family members. This my include jealousy reacts when elder siblings are given more responsibility or when 'the baby of the family' is seen as spoilt.
4. Do you believe that the stereotyped characteristics for the youngest child are relatively accurate? Explain.
In many families, the stereotypes of the youngest child are reinforced by parents, whereby, the mothers tend to 'mollycoddle' or appear overly affectionate towards their youngest child in comparison to the elder siblings. In other cases, parents may actively avoid these stereotypes and make a conscious effort to offer equality at all times to all siblings.5. Is birth order a major factor that influences child development? Explain.
It is one of many factors impacting on child development, but definitely not the most influential. genetic factors and life experience plays a greater role than parenting style and sibling interactions, however, they are all related to a child's development.6. Do you believe that the youngest child is a favourable position in a family?
This depends on the family. Some children born into the position of 'youngest child' may feel their parents are more elderly in comparison to their peers, they may lack energy or interest in the child's pursuits given they have previously raised other siblings. In other cases, the youngest child may be unplanned and they may feel resented by their parents because of this. Every family is different.7. From your experiences, what are the personality traits/characteristics of the youngest child in a family?
In general, characteristics may include: secure, supported and confident. Negative traits may include: dependent, expectant and in some cases irresponsible.Are these characteristics relevant to every last born child? Why Not?
No, we can not generalize to this degree.8. Do you believe that the youngest child has any advantages/disadvantages over their siblings? List/Explain.
This is dependent upon individual circumstances.
Jessie, time restraints do not allow for completion of your extensive question list - I wish you well with your project.
Kimberley O'Brien
Child Psychologist -
This is such an interesting post. I have two younger siblings and while i have heard of the "middle child syndrome" i never realised that there was so much research into the birth order of children, and that there might be specific traits related to these.
I suppose that it is true that the eldest child is given a lot of responsibility. I know especially in my family that i did, and its interesting that the middle child would feel jelous of both elder and younger siblings.
I wonder what the Duggars children (the family in America that has 18 or 19 children) would have to say about the birth order theory.
Paris
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