The personality adjustments of only children.

Abstract

"It is interesting to observe how theory and research have drawn apart in their conclusions as to the efficacy of the only-child constellation as a personality determiner . . . theory appears to have changed very little since Hall's day . . . . Research has given increasingly little support to the armchair viewpoint." A bibliography of 75 titles is furnished.

Accuracy of only children stereotype

“…However, overall impression from the relevant research is that birth-order has minimal effect on individual differences in personality traits or intelligence (Ernst & Angst, 1983;Schooler, 1972). A similar conclusion was derived from the early literature about the personality of only children: whatever role the mere presence or absence of siblings may play in development of personality, its importance is certainly not crucial (Campbell, 1934;Falbo ONLY CHILDREN STEREOTYPE 4 & Polit, 1986). Thus, possible differential parental treatment of children with different birth orders or only children, or competition among siblings does not seem to have a straightforward impact on people's personality traits.…”

“…Psychoanalytically oriented theorists have speculated about family influence on personality development, insisting that the absence of siblings is detrimental to social adjustment and development of character (Adler, 1964). The frequently quoted Stanley Hall's remark that "being an only child is disease in itself" (cited in Campbell, 1934;Fenton, 1928) aptly illustrates psychologists' concern about children raised without the benefit of siblings. Likewise, lay persons generally believe that parents of only children are inclined to overindulge and pamper of their offspring which results in producing unhappy, selfish and disturbed individuals.…”