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As if hand-me-downs and the fact that only three baby pictures of us exist, there's more bad news for younger siblings: A new study suggests that firstborns may have gotten favored status in the brains department as well.Tiffany L. Frank, a doctoral candidate at Adelphi University, recently led a study that suggested birth order makes a difference when it comes to brains and personality. Eldest siblings have higher aptitude and overall ranked intelligence, potentially because they received more attention from their parents, earlier. (WE KNEW IT, MOM AND DAD.)
But there's an upside for younger siblings -- the research found that they're generally more outgoing and competitive, with higher overall GPAs. The reason? In theory, having received assistance from older siblings and a need to compete for parents' love and attention.
Does this mean our parents have been lying to us every day when they say they love us all "equally"? Do we need to strike our older brothers down in Scrabble to make Dad prouder?
Sigh. Probably. (Dysfunction is 23 points.)
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Tuesday 17 August
By Lisa H
These studies never seem to address situations like mine. Mom's 3rd and youngest, Dad's 1st and only, siblings lived with their Dad so spent most of my time as a defacto only child. Whatcha got ta say about that science!
Reply
Tuesday 17 August
By karen
Sounds like my youngest, and he is pretty darned smart...but all three of my kids are smart in different areas...so there!!!
Tuesday 17 August
By S.
Not in our family, the oldest in our family has caused more problems and discord
than any of the other children, this study definitely does not apply to our family
Reply
Tuesday 17 August
By Kat
"Not in our family, the oldest in our family has caused more problems and discord
than any of the other children, this study definitely does not apply to our family"
People with higher IQ's tend to have more issues than people with average IQ's. They have a harder time integrating into society as normal, functioning members. So the oldest causing "more problems and discord" could very well be the result of restlessness and no challenges due to a high IQ. It happens all the time.
Tuesday 17 August
By jimkimsan
You got that right. My older brother acted like an idiot his entire life and caused my parents lots of trouble. Us middle kids were angels, and our baby brother also caused problems. Mom did like me best though because I wasn't an idiot. I was the 2nd born son. Dad of course favored his first born son, even when he was cussing him out....
Tuesday 17 August
By Joe Papierz Jr
Duh.............This was a study (survey). The conclusion didn't say the results were true of "ALL" familes, only most. Where were you whey brains were being given out?
Tuesday 17 August
By Akuin
See This study doesn't apply to my family, you know why? Because my sister is the eldest, I am the youngest. She is lazy and while semi-intelligent is not the smartest person in the family. She wouldn't have her college degree if it weren't for our mother. I however have never had any help, my intelligence is hidden in my Learning Disabilities, but as my instructors (Who had my sister prior to my attending college and they all remembered her) used to tell classes "She might be a little crazy, but she's the smartest person I know." So how do they figure me into the equation? I'm the youngest and out preform my sister in everything except Art.
Friday 03 September
By Mom
Is that you Sambo?
Tuesday 17 August
By Owen
My older brother has a higher IQ then me. BUT, he has done nothing with his life and has no common sense...I think IQ tests are meaning less.
Reply
Tuesday 17 August
By Lisa
And since you can't spell or punctuate or know which word to use, that's pretty scary.
Tuesday 17 August
By connie
meaningless is one word
Tuesday 17 August
By Jany
I don't think so
Reply
Tuesday 17 August
By Alison
Based on my experience, I would agree with the study only to the point of IQ. There are other factors involving intelligence, such as Emotional Intelligence. While the first borns that I know can process and retain information much better than their younger siblings, the younger siblings have more common sense, are better grounded emotionally and overall are just as successful, if not more, than their elder sibling with the higher IQ. These tests are points of measurement - they should not be used to define people!
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Tuesday 17 August
By Revel
Speaking as a firstborn child, I can tell you my younger sister has far less common sense, is highly unstable and not nearly as successful ... She is a trouble maker, her grades are poor and her behavior has gotten her in trouble numerous times. I've watched her look at a word, recital for example, and pronounce it recktickcall... I kid you not.
I think a lot of intelligence hinges on maturity and a persons ability to be self motivated. Many second borns that I've met are clingy, impulsive and trouble makers. They're catered to because they're younger, which hinders them in both their emotions and their intelligence.
Tuesday 17 August
By Bweather
This is what we get from the Liberal media. I hear ya about the discord. Liberalism is a disease.
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Tuesday 17 August
By steverc53
Another lame study. In other words, it's all about the mother, fathers don't count ?
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Tuesday 17 August
By CCW Man
Junk science. The oldest will agree. Other siblings will disagree. Now give me a million dollars for my "research".
Reply
Tuesday 17 August
By Jox64554
I am the youngest of nine (9) children and I know for a fact that the three (3) oldest are not the smartest. The ones in the middle are also questionable. I can safely say that the three (3) youngest including are the smartest and our decisions reflect this. This study like everything else including polls, etc are not accurate.
Wednesday 18 August
By L GEISLER
WHAT ABOUT AN ONLY CHILD? I WAS RAISED BY MY MOTHER. MY DAD WAS AN ALCOHOLIC SO MY MOM LEFT EARLY BEFORE SHE COULD HAVE ANY MORE TO RAISE BY HERSELF AND I SEEMED TO HAVE TURNED OUT OK..GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL STILL MARRIED TO THE SAME MAN AFTER 44 YEARS AND HAVE 3 KIDS WHO ARE DAMM NEAR PERFECT...SO WHAT U GOTTA SAY ABOUT THAT? I AM LUCKY AND I KNOW IT !!
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Tuesday 17 August
By Joseph
That's not the point of the article, but I agree, they should have mentioned that an only child is self-absorbed and doesn't know how to turn off their caps lock. All they do is whine... "WHAT ABOUT ME?" "HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME??" "WHY ISN'T THIS STORY ABOUT ME???"