Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine whether the order in which an individual is born into their family has an effect on their personality in later life, in particular looking at the psychological characteristics, materialistic values, empathy and overall life satisfaction. The sample comprised of 90 participants (m=30, f=60) who completed a questionnaire which was an amalgamation of three questionnaires, The Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Multi-dimensional Emotional Empathy Scale and The Aspiration Index. Analysis of the data found that there was no significant difference existing between birth order and the psychological variables investigated. Future research could look into examining the psychological birth order position instead of looking at the actual birth order in the family a perspective which the current study did not address.
