This chapter explores the intriguing concept of birth order and its potential impact on personality traits. The speakers examine the characteristics of firstborns, middle children, and youngest siblings while discussing relevant psychological and sociological insights.
We all know the cliches about older siblings being responsible, younger ones creative, and middle children being peacemakers. But is there any evidence our position in the family affects our personality? In this episode from March 2024, Madeleine Finlay meets Dr Julia Rohrer, a personality psychologist at the University of Leipzig, to unpick the science behind birth order. Help support our independent journalism at
theguardian.com/sciencepod