What Is Adlers Birth Order Theory?

Adler, the founder of individual psychology, was heavily influenced by psychoanalystSigmund Freud.

Adler also notably introduced the concept of the “family constellation.”

Three boys in various age groups in black and white

Verywell Mind / Getty Images

They tend to be more success-oriented, explainsSan Francisco therapistDr.

When you become an older sibling, you suddenly have to share your parent’s attention.

Consider the experiences of the oldest siblings, who are frequently tasked with caring for younger siblings.

In families with three children, the youngest male sibling is likely to be more passive or easy-going.

Some research suggests that middle children may be moresensitive to rejection.

You may struggle with feelings of insecurity, fear of rejection, andpoor self-confidence.

Because parents are sometimes less strict and disciplined with last-borns, these kids may have fewer self-regulation skills.

It can be very much like being a firstborn in many ways.

You may like having control and, because of your parents' high expectations, have strongperfectionist tendencies.

How Birth Order Influences Relationships

Birth order may affect relationships in a wide variety of ways.

For example, it may impact how you form connections with other people.

It can also affect how you behave within these relationships.

Dr. Lev suggests that the effects of birth order can differ depending on gender.

She also suggests that there is often a notable rivalry between same-sex siblings versus that of mixed-gender siblings.

Again, this effect can vary depending on gender.

Relationship Roles

Birth order may also influence the roles that you take on in a relationship.

Expectations

What we expect from relationships can sometimes also be influenced by birth order.

Other Factors Play a Role

How birth order influencesinterpersonal relationshipscan also be influenced by other factors.

In other words, birth order is only one of many factors that affect how we grow and learn.

Birth order doesn’t exist in a vacuum.

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2022;13. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.871837

Salmon CA, Daly M.Birth order and familial sentiment.Evolution and Human Behavior.

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