Question 8

Firstborn children develop problematic personalities because they may experience the loss of attention and love after the birth of siblings.

Eldest children may face negative life outcomes due to the shift in parental attention that occurs when younger siblings are born. This can lead to feelings of neglect or inadequacy as the firstborn struggles to adapt to sharing parental affection.

A) Firstborn children develop problematic personalities because they may experience the loss of attention and love after the birth of siblings.

This option accurately reflects Adler's theory, which posits that firstborns often feel overshadowed and may develop issues related to insecurity and jealousy after the arrival of siblings. The emotional turmoil from losing exclusive parental attention can contribute to a range of negative personality traits.

B) Firstborn children develop dependent personalities because they are pampered and are not incentivized to develop independence.

While it is true that some firstborns may receive a high level of attention, Adler's theory primarily focuses on the emotional consequences of losing attention rather than being pampered. This option misrepresents the core concept of how the transition to sharing parental love affects the eldest child's development.

C) The oldest child develops a rebellious or revolutionary personality to keep pace with younger siblings.

This choice does not align with Adler's views. Instead of developing rebellious traits to compete with younger siblings, firstborns are more likely to struggle with feelings of inadequacy and jealousy, which can lead to negative outcomes rather than rebellion.

D) The oldest child develops a selfless personality because they share the love and attention of their parents with their siblings.

Although sharing attention can lead to selflessness, Adler's theory emphasizes the negative emotional consequences of this shift. The focus is on the problematic aspects of coping with reduced attention rather than the development of a selfless personality, making this option less accurate.

Conclusion

The rationale behind the correct answer highlights the emotional difficulties firstborn children may experience when they lose exclusive parental attention after siblings are born. Options B, C, and D fail to capture this critical aspect of Adler’s theory, which centers on the implications of attention loss rather than the development of dependency, rebellion, or selflessness. Thus, option A stands out as the most comprehensive and accurate explanation.