Birth order may determine personality

The order in which each child is born might help determine his or her personality, according to a psychologist from The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. However, according to Dr Sandra Mendlowitz, birth order only accounts for nearly 5% of personality characteristics.

Being the eldest gives a sense of responsibility for younger siblings and provides opportunities for leadership and control. These situations may help in building confidence, maturity, leadership, planning abilities, becoming achievement-driven, and being somewhat traditional. However, they are often described as bossy, spoiled and lonely, reports the Globe and Mail.

The youngest child is considered as the "baby" of the family and often pampered. They are more likely to be humorous, a risk-taker, happier and friendlier, but more immature, attention seeking and sensitive than his or her older siblings.

The middle child is positioned between the extremes, the eldest and the often-pampered and often strives to do unconventional things. He or she may become a negotiator who is friendly, sociable and compliant. However, they are likely to be more rebellious than their siblings, with the feeling to garner some of the spotlight.

Mendlowitz insists birth order plays a relatively small role in determining personality and says there are many other factors that determine who we are and how we will conduct ourselves in life.