Research Finds: Middle Children Are Better Than Their Siblings at One Thing

A new study published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that birth order influences personality. Drawing on data from 710,000 participants, the researchers identified a surprising advantage for middle children, who tend to score higher in honesty, humility, and social skills. This pattern becomes even stronger as the number of siblings increases, while only children rank lowest in these traits.

According to the researchers, family structure has a consistent effect in both secular and religious households, although levels of religiosity are partly linked to family size. One possible explanation is that large families require greater cooperation, naturally fostering the development of interpersonal skills.

The study relied on the HEXACO model, which measures six personality dimensions, including honesty, extroversion, emotionality, and agreeableness. While the differences found were relatively small, the researchers note that they may accumulate over time and have a broader societal impact.

Interestingly, the findings contradict earlier research that reported little to no connection between birth order and personality. For example, a 2015 study of 20,000 participants from the US, UK, and Germany found no such link, and a 2019 study using the HEXACO framework reported only negligible effects.

The researchers also point out that the current analysis did not distinguish between biological, step, or half-siblings; instead, all children living in the same household were grouped together. This limitation may affect how the results are interpreted and highlights the need for further investigation.

In conclusion, while the study offers fresh insights, it also underscores the complexity of the topic and the importance of continued research into how family structure shapes personality. And if you happen to be a middle child, future findings in this field may be especially intriguing—reminding us that the dynamics of family life often have deeper influences than we realize.