Birth Order and Achievement

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how birth order has been suggested as the source of many personality traits. These personality traits can have an impact on the ability of a child to succeed in many areas of their life. The paper addresses the role that birth order plays in academic achievement among second through fourth graders on a standardized test. The research explores the background and significance of the problem, include a brief literature review of the topic, proposed methodology and a discussion of the project schedule and anticipated outcomes. The paper explains that understanding how birth order impacts academic achievement will help educators understand the abilities of individual students in the school system.

Outline:
Statement of Problem
Background and Significance of Problem
Preliminary Review of Literature
Research Methodology and Birth Order Theory
Do We Discount the Theory?
Practical Application of Theory
Research Questions, Design, and Methodology

From the Paper:

"The affects of birth order are well documented and there is s a wealth of academic information available on many areas of the topic. Alfred Adler extensively categorized the characteristics of each birth order. Adler's theory represents the most comprehensive classification of the affects of birth order on the personality and development of children. Adler felt that there were other characteristics that could affect a child's reactions, such as their opinion of themselves, but that this did not diminish the role of birth order in personality development. (Adler, 1928)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alder, A. (1928) The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler. H. Stein (ed). Alfred Adler Institute of Northwestern Washington. Vol. 12 Chapter 5.
• Belmont, L., & Marolla, F.A. (1973). Birth order, family size and intelligence. Science, 182: 1096-1101.
• Blake, J. (1981). Family size and the quality of children. Demography, 18: 421-442.
• Clark, R.D., & Rice, G.A., (1982). Family constellations and eminence: The birth orders of Nobel Prize winners. Journal of Psychology, 110: 281-287.
• Claxton, R. (1994). Empirical relationships between birth order and two types of parental feedback. Psychological Record. 44: 475-487.

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• Analytical Essay # 63603 : "Frankenstein" and Adler"

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