It has long been blamed for sibling rivalries, now a new study has claimed that birth order may also affect children’s personality and level of intelligence.
Researchers at the Adelphi University in Long Island found that while first-borns are typically smarter, younger siblings get better grades and are more outgoing.
According to Dr Tiffany Frank, who led the study, the findings give clues about the influence of sibling relationships, which often receive less attention than the mother-child or father-child relationship.
In the current study, Dr Frank and her colleagues surveyed 90 pairs of siblings in high school. The subjects were asked to report their grades and rank themselves as compared with their siblings on intelligence, work ethic and academic performance.
The researchers also obtained academic tests scores and grades to verify the students’ own reports.
It was found that first-borns received higher tests scores, in math and verbal ability, while later born children had better grade point averages in English and math.
In a second experiment researchers looked at differences in personality between 76 pairs of siblings in high school. Subjects rated themselves on statements designed to assess personality.
Later born siblings were found to be more outgoing, sentimental, forgiving than their older siblings. First-borns were more perfectionists.
source:http://www.asianage.com/
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