PART 1 Directions:
Discussion – Im the Middle Child. Whats the Big Deal?
In this Module, we reviewed several theories of personality development. Each theory provides a unique perspective on how an individuals personality develops. Adlers birth order theory offers an interesting framework for understanding how our position within the family can shape our personality. For this discussion post, students will evaluate the credibility of Adlers birth order theory and apply it to their own personality development.
Briefly describe Adlers birth order theory.
Provide a rationale for why you believe his theory is both useful and limited in explaining personality development.
Use Adlers birth order theory to describe elements of your personality and, if applicable, your siblings personalities.
When you reply to your peers, comment on the following:
What are your thoughts about their assessment of Adlers birth order theory?
Do you believe they overestimated or underestimated any aspect of Adlers birth order theory?
What question would you ask your peer about their post?
Scoring Breakdown: Students are required to complete an initial post and two reply posts.
Initial Post: 15 points
2 Reply Posts: 8 points (4 points each)
Spelling/Grammar: 2 points (1 point initial post/1 point reply posts)
Notes for initial posts: Initial posts must be thoughtful and thought-provoking. It must address all parts of the discussion forum prompt. A thoughtful and thought-provoking post will be at least 23 paragraphs in length, including academic and anecdotal evidence.
Note for reply posts: Each reply needs to find common ground (agreement) as well as uncommon ground (disagreement) with your peer. In other words, identify 23 points with which you agree or disagree. Explain why you agree and/or disagree with each point. Doing so will expand your as well as your peers understanding of the issue. In addition, each reply needs to ask your peer one or more questions that expand their understanding of the issue.
Classmate#1 Aasiyah
1/24/24, 10:23 PM
NEW
Growing up, Ive always heard snippets of conversations loosely based on Adler’s birth order theory. I now believe most of it was overheard by others and simply became secondhand knowledge, as the theory constantly changed overtime. Adler’s birth order theory characterized the emotional, psychological and even personal characteristics that each child obtains when either gaining, or losing a sibling, before or after their birth. Adler’s birth order theory basically states that with each addition, or loss within the birth order – major emotional and psychological changes occur and influence each child involved.
I found Adler’s birth order theory very useful, as Ive witnessed these changes within my own household and children, though I didnt fully grasp what I was witnessing. Over the years, as Ive added children into my home, via both natural methods of birth and adoption, I watched my children slowly change. The change was welcome but very unexpected at best, I disrupted not only the birth order of my household, but the consistency of what wouldve become a solid example of Adler’s birth order theory.
I honestly found this research limited in regard to larger households, households that have a birth order thats been disrupted by out of home placement, households with children with significant special needs, or households facing temporary housing crises – forcing siblings to maintain birth order in a more inconsistent fashion.
I felt like I fit in the position of and shared the most characteristics with the example of the older child complex, but I may feel that way only because the birth order in our household growing up was severely disrupted. Im actually the second to the youngest, out of EIGHT children. Im also sadly unable to speak on my siblings, as we often werent placed together, and our relationship was fleeting at best. However, from what I remember experiencing, thats where I felt I fit in. Im very much a large and in charge personality type, and a natural leader of all things family related.
References
Stein, H. T. (n.d.). Adlerian Overview of Birth order Characteristics. Adlerian. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from http://adlerian.us/birthord.htm hhh
classmate # 2 Krishnan
1/22/24, 4:42 PM
NEW
Adler’s birth order theory suggests that the order in which a child is born into a family inherently contributes to how they perceive the world which forms their personality and behavior. With only children, they may have difficulties with socialization and feel a heavy burden of parental expectations, the first/oldest child shares some of the characteristics of an only child but, they must learn to share and cooperate with their sibling and expectations are typically high for them. As the middle child, they’re presented with many challenges early in life, as soon as another child is born they lose their status and must share attention with the oldest and the later-born child. The middle child struggles the most and can be very competitive and rebellious. The youngest child tends to be the baby of the family and is often pampered. They receive much of the attention and are spoiled they have multiple siblings and might try to grow up too fast in order to keep up or they may also try to stay the baby.
I believe this theory is both useful and limited because a person’s place in the family has a significant impact on how they develops as a person. Birth order can influence a person’s personality but it’s not the only factor that determines who we are.
I am the middle child and I only display some of the traits from Adler’s birth order. I really take on the role of the oldest being more responsible and dependable, a high achiever, aiming to please others, and can be bossy or controlling about rules. I feel like I became this way because I was raised by my grandmother and I had to help do everything around the house cook, clean, do laundry, help with homework, etc.
PART 2 Written Assignment – What Are My Personality Traits?
we reviewed the Big Five Personality assessment and Cattells 16PF personality assessment. For this assignment, students will examine how each of the Big Five factors and Cattells 16 PF are related to their personality development.
Next, students will take an abbreviated version of the two assessments. Click on the two links below to begin the inventories.
Afterward, they will reflect on their results for both assessments and provide a detailed explanation for their results. According to trait theory, individuals make life choices in part because of their status on each of the Big Five and the 16PF, including decisions regarding employment, hobbies, lifestyle, mates, and other personal choices. Among the behaviors and attitudes linked to trait theory are education, marriage, divorce, employment, and political views. Consider these issues when evaluating your results from both inventories. Use these factors to explain your results. Students may agree or disagree with their results. Either way, they are to provide a rationale for their agreement or disagreement. Compare and contrast results from the two inventories.
Big Five abbreviated inventory:
16PF inventory
Instructions
Provide a detailed of each Big Five personality trait. Give real-life examples of each trait.
Provide an overview of Cattells 16PF personality theory.
Take the Big Five inventory and the 16PF inventory. Reflect on your results. Do you agree or disagree with your results?
Compare and contrast the results from both inventories.
Give a detailed explanation for why you either agree or disagree with your results for each inventory. For example, if your results indicated that you are high on conscientiousness and you agree, provide examples of how you are high on this particular factor. Do this for each factor. Do the same process for the 16PF inventory.
References
Stangor, C. (2021). Introduction to psychology (3.2). Flatworld.
