Birth Order and Romantic Relationship Styles, Essay Example

Birth Order and Romantic Relationship Styles and Attitudes in College Students

Literature Review

What are some common characteristics of first born children?

First born children are more realistic to issues, for they have more experience in life. In this context, they would report the most realistic love as compared to others.

What are some common characteristics of second born children?

The second born children often would come and compete with the older. They have a high sense of jealousy. In romantic love, they are likely to report the most jealously followed by the youngest child, with the oldest child reporting less jealousy.

What are some common characteristics of third born children?

Third born children have some level of impartiality, for they would learn much from their elder siblings. They are likely to have less jealously and a high level of acceptance on life issues. In romantic relationship, they are likely to report more jealousy than first born children are.

What are some common characteristics of only children?

Only children are likely to develop high trends of love. Most of these children are given attention and sole love, and may develop the sense of wanting to experience and give the same love.

What are the hypotheses of the study?

Birth order has a direct impact on romantic relationship styles and attitudes among college students.

Method

Who were the participants in the study (be specific)?

The participants in the study were college students who ranged from age 17-55 years. They participated in filling the relevant questionnaires that asked questions on diverse aspects of romantic love relationship styles and attitudes.

List some demographic information about the participants?

The demographic information about the participants indicated that 45% were the oldest; 14% were middle; 31% middle, and 4% registered as onlies, with 4% indicating as ‘others’.

Describe the steps of the study?

The study took simple steps, beginning from the identification of the participants. The participants identified their birth orders. After that, all participants were given the same composite survey to fill. They filled the following survey questionnaires;

• Attachment Style Questionnaire
• Attitudes Toward Love
• Multidimensional Jealousy Scale
• and the Short Form Love Attitudes Scale

Results

The study established the following.

• Middle child participants reported the most jealousy, followed by the youngest child participants; only child participants, with less jealousy levels among the oldest.
• The oldest child participants scored highly in reporting most realistic love, as compared to the middle, while the youngest reported the most romantic love orientation
• The onlies reported highest score on erros and mania love styles.

Discussion

What are the limitations of the study?

The study limited its research to college students

Some respondents did not fill relevant data

Why are the findings of this study important?

The findings are important in promoting a deeper understanding of people’s personality

What are your thoughts on Freud?

I have a liking for Freud analytical psychologist and researcher due to the way he explains out various concepts on personality. One of the Freudian concepts that have caught my attention is the issue of the three components of personality. I love the way Freud look at personality and the contribution of the three components that shape this personality. Freud defends his position that human personality as the interaction of the three factors-the id, ego and super ego. He goes further to claim that the three create conflict that leads to anxiety, which often leads to self-defense. His passion to explain how the three interact demonstrates his passion on understanding human personality.