Study Suggests Middle Children May Have More 'Desirable Traits' Than Their Siblings

A recent study suggests that middle children may have an advantage, showing they possess more desirable traits compared to their older and younger siblings.

This research adds fuel to the ongoing debate about the influence of birth order on personality development.

Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler first proposed the idea that birth order shapes personality over a century ago, sparking continued discussion among experts.

While the science remains inconclusive, stereotypes have emerged-such as the assertive, intelligent firstborn and the "spoilt" youngest child. Middle children, on the other hand, are often seen as overlooked, with WebMD describing them as "caught in the middle," receiving less attention from their parents compared to their siblings.

However, according to Canadian researchers Michael Ashton of Brock University and Kibeom Lee of the University of Calgary, being a middle child might offer advantages. Their study, featured by Parents, found that middle children tend to be "more honest, humble, and agreeable" than their siblings.

Using the HEXACO Personality Inventory-a test measuring traits such as honesty-humility, agreeableness, emotionality, and openness-the study revealed that middle children scored the highest in honesty-humility and agreeableness.

This suggests that middle children are more likely to "forgive wrongs, judge others leniently, compromise, cooperate, and control their temper." A high honesty-humility score also indicates a tendency to avoid manipulation, a disinterest in wealth and luxury, and a lack of entitlement to social status.

While middle children scored the highest in these traits, the youngest siblings followed closely, with the eldest and only children scoring the lowest.

However, other research challenges these conclusions. A 2020 study, for example, argued that birth order does not necessarily correlate with personality traits, disputing the stereotype that only children are more narcissistic.

Notable middle children who defy the "overlooked" stereotype include Martin Luther King Jr., Madonna, Warren Buffett, and Abraham Lincoln.