If you’re the middle child in your family, science might be on your side. A new study published in the journal PNAS suggests that middle siblings are not only agreeable but also more humble and honest than their older and younger counterparts.
Researchers analyzed personality traits based on family size and birth order, revealing intriguing insights about middle children’s unique characteristics. While these results may sound groundbreaking, they’re not without controversy. Previous research has often failed to find strong links between birth order and personality, so these new findings might need further investigation.
What the study found on middle siblings
The researchers behind this study used the HEXACO personality model, which includes traits like honesty/humility, agreeableness, emotionality, and conscientiousness. They analyzed data from over 700,000 individuals who had taken the HEXACO test online. Among these participants, middle children consistently scored highest in honesty/humility and agreeableness. Youngest siblings came next, followed by the oldest, with only children scoring the lowest.
Interestingly, family size also played a role. The more siblings a person had, the more likely they were to exhibit cooperative tendencies. Individuals from larger families tend to score higher in honesty and humility than those from smaller families. This might be because larger families require more teamwork and compromise, shaping personalities to be more considerate and selfless.
Religiosity accounted for about 25% of these differences since larger families often align with religious values. However, even after accounting for this factor, the connection between birth order, family size, and personality remained significant.
How do these findings compare with other studies?
While this study highlights a link between birth order and certain personality traits, it contradicts earlier large-scale research. For instance, two studies conducted in 2015—one with 20,000 participants across three countries and another with 272,000 U.S. adults—found little to no relationship between birth order and the Big Five personality traits.
One possible explanation for these mixed results lies in how the studies measured personality. The HEXACO model, used in the new research, focuses more on honesty and humility, traits less emphasized in the Big Five model. This shift in focus could explain why middle children’s virtues stood out in the latest findings.
Why do middle siblings shine?
The researchers speculate that growing up between an older and younger sibling fosters adaptability and cooperation. Middle children often mediate family disputes, balancing the expectations placed on firstborns and the attention lavished on the youngest.
This dynamic may encourage middle kids to prioritize group harmony and fairness, qualities that align with high agreeableness and humility. Additionally, in larger families, the necessity to share resources and resolve conflicts could further enhance these traits.
The complexity of our personality
Despite the results, experts caution against overgeneralizing. Birth order studies have a history of producing conflicting outcomes, and personality is influenced by many factors beyond family dynamics. Cultural background, socioeconomic status, and individual experiences all play crucial roles in shaping who we are.
While the debate over birth order and personality is far from settled, this new study adds an interesting layer to our understanding. Middle siblings may indeed have a secret superpower: their humility and honesty. Whether or not future research confirms these findings, one thing is clear—every sibling has their strengths, and middle children are no exception.