At first I was worried about my younger brother and sister seeing this and having their self-esteem destroyed. But, after all, they've been dealing with the reality ever since they were born:
The eldest children in families tend to develop slightly higher I.Q.s than their younger siblings, researchers are reporting, based on a large study that could effectively settle more than a half-century of scientific debate about the relationship between I.Q. and birth order.
The difference in I.Q. between siblings was a result of family dynamics, not biological factors like changes in gestation caused by repeated pregnancies, the study found.
The report says the oldest child is more "dutiful" and "cautious." It doesn't say so explicity, but that would make the younger children more "rebellious" and "reckless." Yep, sounds just like us.
Comments
Yes, and a similar study hinted at the sad fact that middle children have it the worst growing up - it's been such a long life, ...
The theory that links intelligence to birth order has been around since teh '70s. One group of researchers examined data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and found no relationship between birth order and intelligence.
When I was in college we studied birth-order psychology. Apparently it has some merit up to the fourth born; the fifth born taking on the characteristics of the first born.
I find it interesting that if you tell someone your order of birth they can identify key personality factors. But reverse it. Ask them to observe your personality traits and conclude your birth order.
Gee I'd "like" to refute those claims based on what I see in MY neighborhood....seems all the kids act JUST as BAD as their parents, birth order NOT withstanding....and intelligence (of ANY level) doesn't seem to enter into ANY equation.
Just an observation.
;)
B.G.