Abstract
This thesis explores the relationship between birth-order, academics, and social attitudes. The literature chapter reviews research in order to learn more about the effects of birth-order on education, IQ, family relations, friendship associations, and career preferences. Following this, I present a discussion of symbolic interactionism and exchange theory. Based on the literature and theory, I developed a number of hypotheses. For example, older children were hypothesized to have more academic ability than younger children and middle children were predicted to be more social. I conducted my study by sending out an anonymous questionnaire to mostly white, middleclass parents who worked in the Cuyahoga Falls education system. My study concludes that older children are more interested in academics than their second born siblings. Overall, the oldest and third born children from all families have higher grades than second born children from all families. Going along with the social aspect of my study, third born children are reported to get along better with others than their oldest sibling as well as have more friends.
Advisor
Nurse, Anne M.
Department
Sociology and Anthropology
Recommended Citation
Carson, Ryan, ""The Youngest Really Is the Favorite" a Study of the Effects of Birth-Order" (2005). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 4375.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/4375
Publication Date
2005
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2005 Ryan Carson