Birth Order and the Effects on Personality
             The psychological effects on personality resulting from
             birth order have been studied for over a century and
             psychologists have recorded many fascinating results. "First
             borns are reported to be more responsible and achievement
             oriented then later-borns, who are in turn reported to be
             more socially successful than their older siblings"
             (Sulloway p. 55). First borns deal with pressure from their
             parents to be the exceptionally better at everything.
             "Brand-new parents tend to be a paradox when it comes to
             their first born child. One side of them is overprotective,
             anxious, tentative, and inconsistent. The other side can be
             strict in discipline, demanding, always pushing and
             encouraging more and better performance" (Leman p. 62).
             Personality although not completely dependent on birth order
             relies heavily on which order one was born in. Birth order
             effects are a result of a competition among siblings as they
             Alfred Alder worked extensively with the effects of
             birth order on personality. He said that the firstborn child
             was "dethroned" by the birth of the latter child. As Alder
             reasoned "Sometimes a child who has lost his power, the
             small kingdom he ruled, understands better than others the
             importance of power and authority" (Sulloway p. 55.). "It
             is natural for firstborns to identify more strongly with
             power and authority. They arrive first within the family
             and employ their superior size and strength to defend their
             special status" (Sulloway p. 19). Alder felt that
             firstborns develop a striving to imitate their parents, to
             feel responsible for their siblings, and to protect others.
             They are often serious and don't like surprises. They
             thrive on control, being on time and organized. "First
             borns automatically fit into the category labeled
             "advanced&qu...