Cross-Cultural Study of Some Correlates of Birth Order

Abstract

Summa7y.-The purpose of the present study was to test the cross-culcural validity of the relacionship found in Western samples between birth order and college attendance, volucteering behavior, and level of academic achievement. Information concerning birth order and family size was obtained on three subsamples: ( a ) 200 freshman Arab students, ( b ) 97 Arab undergraduates, and (c) 45 Arab undergradcates placed o n the Dean's Honor List. Ss in samples ( b ) and ( c ) were asked whether they would volunteer to participate in small group experiments or not. In general, the results obtained in this study d o not corroborate previous findings on birth order. Thus, firstborns were not found to attend college in greater numbers than later borns. Furthermore, firstborns were not found to volunteer for small group experiments in greater numbers than later borns, nor was there any significant relationship found between birth order and level of academic achievement.In a recent review of the literature on birth order and social behavior, Warren ( 1966) concluded that "the most firmly established and persistent finding relative to birth order shows an overproportion of firstborn children in college" (p. 38). However, the above conclusion was based exclusively on studies utilizing Western samples. Thus, the first major purpose of rhe present study was to test the validity of the above finding in a non-Western population.Secondly, the present study attempted cross-culnual validation of the relationship between birth order and volunteering behavior. Warren ( 1966) concluded from his review of tie literature that "birch order can be expected to influence volunteering behavior when there is social pressure to volunteer" (p. 4 5 ) , whereby the volunteering rate of firstborns for a group experiment would exceed that of later born individuals. However, with the exception of one study carried on Uruguayan high school students by Varela (1964), this conclusion was reached on the basis of studies carried out on samples of students in the United States.Thirdly, this study also investigated the relationship of birth order to level of academic achievement. Schachter ( 1963) found that firstborn students rend to have higher grades than Iater borns. Alms (1965) also found firstborns to be overrepresented among Ss described as "quite bright," and Wolkon and Levinger ( 1965 ) pointed out that there are "differences in level of achievement between first and later born persons" (p. 74).In short, this study aimed to test the relationship between birth order and 'Thanks are extended to Mr. Assadour Choungourian for his help in tabulating some of the data in this study.

Birth Order and Selection for University Education in Kenya

“…Most of the findings of the relationship between birth order and academic achievement have been based primarily on Western samples. Notwithstanding this situation and with the exception of few studies (Diab & Prothro, 1968), the limited cross-cultural studies that have been done on birth order and academic achievement support the findings from Western samples (Munroe & Munroe, 1971;Stevenson, Lucke, Lee, & Stigler, 1987;Cherian, 1990). Cherian's study (1990) of primary schoolchildren in the Transkei province of South Africa showed that irrespective of the parental socioeconomic status, the later the child's birth order, the lower the academic achievement.…”

School psychology research in Lebanon: A retrospective analysis and a look ahead.

“…Despite 14 years of anarchy, a considerable amount of theoretical (e.g., Diab & Prothro, 1957; Keehn, 1959; Melikian & Prothro, 1955; Prothro, 1961; Saigh, in press-a; Walker, 1986) and applied (e.g., Saigh, 1987a, 1987c) psychological research has eminated in Lebanon. In the main, school psychology research has been prompted by academic interest, requests from schools and agencies, and the ever-present need to provide services for school children who were affected by the hostilities.…”

The socio-economic consequences of birth order: a study of black and white college graduates.

“…In the same year, a study appeared by Diab and Prothro (1968) of Arab undergraduates at the American University of Beirut, in which they found no overrepresentation of students, regardless of family size. Even controlling for whether the student was an "honor" or a "regular" student, no overrepresentation appeared.…”

“…Even controlling for whether the student was an "honor" or a "regular" student, no overrepresentation appeared. Diab andProthro (1968, p. 1141) conclude:…”