Research Finds: Middle Children Are Better Than Their Siblings at One Thing
The study reveals a link between birth order and personality traits, but leaves unanswered questions and calls for further research. Here are the findings.
(Photo: shutterstock)A new study published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that birth order in the family influences personality. The study, based on data from 710,000 participants, points to a surprising personal advantage for middle children, who tend to exhibit higher levels of honesty, humility, and good social relationships. This trend strengthens as the number of siblings in the family increases, while only children rank lowest in these traits.
According to the researchers, the family structure has a consistent effect both in secular and religious families, although the degree of religiosity is partly explained by the size of the family. The explanation for this may stem from the demands for cooperation in large families, which necessitate the development of significant interpersonal skills.
The study used the HEXACO model to measure six personality dimensions, including honesty, extroversion, emotionality, and agreeableness. However, the researchers clarify that although the differences found are small, they may have a cumulative impact on society.
Interestingly, the conclusions contradict previous studies, which did not find a clear connection between birth order and personality. For example, a 2015 study on 20,000 subjects in the US, UK, and Germany did not identify such a link, and a 2019 study that also used the HEXACO model reported only a negligible effect.
The researchers emphasized that the current study does not differentiate between biological, step, or half-siblings, but rather treated all children in the same household as one group. This is a point that could affect the interpretation of the results and requires more in-depth examination in the future.
The conclusion is clear: While the study offers new insights, the topic is complex and requires further research to expand the understanding of the effects of family structure on personality. If you are a middle child, you may find interest in future studies on the subject. We, of course, will continue to follow along.
