NATURE–NURTUREwhereas later siblings have to share or perhaps even go without. But
it’s not all bad news for younger siblings. Research shows that they are
more skilled at understanding other people’s emotions and considering
alternative points of view, perhaps because they’ve needed these social
and political skills to cope with their junior rank in the family.
Regarding personality traits, first-borns are often found to be more
hard-working and diligent, while younger siblings are more sociable and
creative. However, some psychologists are sceptical about these person-
ality findings. The results are usually inconsistent and mostly come from
studies that relied on siblings rating each other’s personalities. That
young siblings should rate their older brothers and sisters as highly
conscientious, while first-borns rate their younger siblings as rebellious
is little wonder if you consider that they’re probably drawing on child-
hood memories of the family home.