Self-Classification by Subjects Using Toman's Birth-Order Categories

Toman (1969, 1970) suggests that certain aspects of personality involving interaction with other persons are largely determined by family constellation (birth order + sex of siblings). He presents descriptions of various personalities based on this hypothesis. In the present study it is hypothesized that, if these descriptions are accurate, then persons who read them should be able to classify themselves into one of Toman's categories. To rest this hypothesis, 102 girls in four undergraduate educational psychology classes at Purdue University were asked to read these descriptions and to identify which one best described them. All labels referring to politics, religion, sibling configuration, and birth order were omitted. They also listed the sex and age of each of their siblings. Data indicated that 16 Ss could be unambiguously classified as oldest sister of brothers (OSB), 12 as youngest sister of brothers (YSB), 12 as youngest sister of sisters (YSS), and 8 as oldest sister of sisrers (OSS) . Of these, 13 identified themselves correctly; chance level would allow about 12 correct responses. Following Toman's procedures (1970, p. 46), the remaining students were placed into one of the categories on the basis of which configuration predominated in their situation. The six only children were excluded. Of the remaining 96 students, 27 identified themselves correctly (chance level = 24). These results seem to indicate that Toman's descriptions are not accurate to the extent that they allow a person reading them to identify himself. Part of the shortcomings of these descriptions can perhaps be attributed to inherent lack of self-knowledge. Another difficulty appears to be social desirability, since 42 selected the older-sisters-of-brothers category, whereas only 12 selected younger-brother-of-sisters. In addition, it seems possible that Toman's descriptions rely almost entirely upon model~ng and positive sibling interactions, whereas in reality there is likely to be some ncgatlve modeling and aversive interaction (Leventhal, 1970)

Birth order · Developmental psychology · Order (exchange · Psychotherapist · Sociology · Clinical Psychology · Cognitive Abilities and Testing · Demography · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

• Influence of brothers and sisters on sex-role behavior

  Gerald S Leventhal•Journal of Personality and Social…•1970

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