The Identification of Birth Order Personality Attributes

Adjectival listings were used to record quantitative and qualitative assessments of personality traits for birth order positions. Personality profiles that outlined the perceived strengths and weaknesses of each rank and sex were established. Regardless of sex, the first born was viewed as the most favored birth position, followed by the middle, youngest, and only-child positions. Ranking of the subjects' own birth position was consistent with the way others perceived that position. The data were obtained primarily from African American and Hispanic college students and suggest a need for cross-ethnic referencing.