ORDINAL POSITION OF BIRTH AND INDIVIDUAL’S PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS ON EDWARDS PERSONAL PREFERENCE SCHEDULE

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the idea of Adler, the Austrian Psychiatrist, that the psychological development of each child in a family is different from other due to ordinal position of birth of this child.[1] He believed that a correct analysis of the effects of individual’s birth order position would help to win his confidence.[2] After literature review it was hypothesized i) the first born would score higher than middle and last born on the psychological need for Nurturance, Affiliation, Achievement and Dominance (2) The last born will score higher on psychological need for succorance than middle and first born.

Place and Duration of study:  Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi June 2008 to June2009

Design of the Study: Comparative study

Method: A Sample of 66 students (44 male and 22 female) selected from University of Karachi. This sample consisted of 20 first born students, 28 second born and 18 last born students. The age range of sample was 20-35 years (mean age=23.09;SD=2.57) and their educational level was at least graduation. The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) Edwards[3] administered to assess