In a new study from the University of Leipzig,
researchers examined how neurotic, extraverted,
conscientious, open and agreeable 20,000 people were
from the UK, US and Germany - and concluded that
personality is not affected by whether you were born
first, last or in between.
But science is increasingly showing that your birth order
can affect who you are in different ways - older siblings
are smarter on average, while the youngest are healthier
and more likely to be gay.
can affect who you are in different ways - older siblings
are smarter on average, while the youngest are healthier
and more likely to be gay.
Older and smarter
In the Leipzig study a small difference in intelligence
was found - firstborns tended to be slightly more
intelligent than their younger siblings, who are in turn
slightly more intelligent than their younger siblings.
The researchers also discovered there were differences
in how intelligent people thought they were, with first-
born children being more likely to agree with statements
such as "I am quick to understand things" than their
younger siblings.
These people were also more likely to say they found it
easier to understand abstract ideas and that they had a
richer vocabulary than younger siblings.
Although it's not clear why this might be the case,
previous research suggests this might be due the eldest
child's social status in the family rather than a biological
change that happens in the womb.
It is thought that a higher social rank could be
responsible for the small increase seen in intelligence .
was found - firstborns tended to be slightly more
intelligent than their younger siblings, who are in turn
slightly more intelligent than their younger siblings.
The researchers also discovered there were differences
in how intelligent people thought they were, with first-
born children being more likely to agree with statements
such as "I am quick to understand things" than their
younger siblings.
These people were also more likely to say they found it
easier to understand abstract ideas and that they had a
richer vocabulary than younger siblings.
Although it's not clear why this might be the case,
previous research suggests this might be due the eldest
child's social status in the family rather than a biological
change that happens in the womb.
It is thought that a higher social rank could be
responsible for the small increase seen in intelligence .
Diabetes
Another trait that research has shown is related to birth
order is how healthy siblings are - younger children in
families appear to be healthier than their older brothers
and sisters.
A number of studies, including research from Queen's
University Belfast , looked at the relationship between
birth order and incidence of Type 1 diabetes. They saw
that those born second, third or later had a reduced risk
of becoming diabetic compared with the first born child.
Experts suggest it could be caused by changes in the
womb or from experiences after birth, such as delayed
exposure to infections.
Younger siblings are more likely to be exposed a variety
of bugs earlier in life as a result of older siblings
bringing them home from school.
Researchers speculate that this stimulates the immune
system of the younger children and reduces the risk of it
incorrectly attacking the body - which would result in
autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes.
order is how healthy siblings are - younger children in
families appear to be healthier than their older brothers
and sisters.
A number of studies, including research from Queen's
University Belfast , looked at the relationship between
birth order and incidence of Type 1 diabetes. They saw
that those born second, third or later had a reduced risk
of becoming diabetic compared with the first born child.
Experts suggest it could be caused by changes in the
womb or from experiences after birth, such as delayed
exposure to infections.
Younger siblings are more likely to be exposed a variety
of bugs earlier in life as a result of older siblings
bringing them home from school.
Researchers speculate that this stimulates the immune
system of the younger children and reduces the risk of it
incorrectly attacking the body - which would result in
autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes.
Sexual orientation
Another trait that research has shown is related to birth
order is sexual orientation in men.
Men with more elder brothers are more likely to be gay.
This effect is known as the "older brother phenomenon"
- for every extra older brother a man has the likelihood
that he is attracted to men is increased by a small
amount.
Prof Tony Bogaert, of Brock University, Canada, one of
the scientists who first observed the phenomenon,
explained that this is a biological effect.
'Each older brother actually changes the womb in some
way. And we think the most plausible explanation has to
do with the maternal immune response.'
Male foetuses produce a particular type of protein in the
womb that helps male genitalia to form. But when this is
produced, the mother's body responds by producing
other proteins, known as antibodies.
This is a natural process and not dangerous to either the
mother or the foetus. But it does mean that in
subsequent pregnancies these antibodies are more
quickly produced if the next foetus is also male.
As a result, having older brothers means that a male
foetus could have been more quickly exposed to these
antibodies from his mother. Prof Bogaert believes that
this immune response explains the older brother
phenomenon.
order is sexual orientation in men.
Men with more elder brothers are more likely to be gay.
This effect is known as the "older brother phenomenon"
- for every extra older brother a man has the likelihood
that he is attracted to men is increased by a small
amount.
Prof Tony Bogaert, of Brock University, Canada, one of
the scientists who first observed the phenomenon,
explained that this is a biological effect.
'Each older brother actually changes the womb in some
way. And we think the most plausible explanation has to
do with the maternal immune response.'
Male foetuses produce a particular type of protein in the
womb that helps male genitalia to form. But when this is
produced, the mother's body responds by producing
other proteins, known as antibodies.
This is a natural process and not dangerous to either the
mother or the foetus. But it does mean that in
subsequent pregnancies these antibodies are more
quickly produced if the next foetus is also male.
As a result, having older brothers means that a male
foetus could have been more quickly exposed to these
antibodies from his mother. Prof Bogaert believes that
this immune response explains the older brother
phenomenon.
Finding the link
However, this immune response is only one of many
factors that influence men's sexuality.
Traits such as intelligence and sexuality are determined
by a range of interconnected factors - such as family
size, mother's age at birth and genetics - which means
that finding a relationship with birth order is extremely
difficult. Large studies are needed to find these subtle
influences.
The Leipzig study was the second largest that has
looked at what effects birth order has - which means the
researchers can say your older sibling probably is that
tiny bit smarter than you.
Bbc
factors that influence men's sexuality.
Traits such as intelligence and sexuality are determined
by a range of interconnected factors - such as family
size, mother's age at birth and genetics - which means
that finding a relationship with birth order is extremely
difficult. Large studies are needed to find these subtle
influences.
The Leipzig study was the second largest that has
looked at what effects birth order has - which means the
researchers can say your older sibling probably is that
tiny bit smarter than you.
Bbc
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