Discusses the research debate over the question whether intelligence diminishes as a function of birth order. Presents a study of Zimbabwean children confirming the general downward trend of intelligence as a function of birth order. Addresses the influence of family size. (DB)

Students selected by teachers as possessing leadership qualities are most likely to be first born; findings suggest that social class appears to be a factor in the relationship between ordinal position and leadership although generalizations could not be made from one society to another on the basis of this study. (Author/KM)

Reviews experimental literature on the use of this technique to study personality and social variables. Two experiments on five related variables are reported. (SE)

This article reports an investigation in which the brith order, social class, and level of achievement arousal are the variables considered when fifth and sixth-grade girls make independent judgements in performing a set task. (JH)

Explores the relationship between numbers and sexes of siblings and perceived rearing practices. Uses the Parental Bonding Instrument to rate responses of 1,145 pregnant Japanese women. Determines participants with more older sisters felt their parents were less caring; participants with more brothers, specifically younger, saw their parents as…

The hypothesis that firstborn urban students have significantly higher need affiliation scores and would participate in more school activities than later borns or students from rural backgrounds is tested. Data measured by the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule is collected from 56 male high school students and analyzed. (SM)

Explores the relationship between birth order and academic attainment for 817 men and women from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. Suggests that birth order produces an impact on total years of education only among members of the middle class. These findings support a resource-dilution hypothesis. (MJP)