Latest news with #personalityTraits
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
What Your Birth Order Says About You (& Why It's Not Set in Stone)
Birth order may play a bigger role in shaping who you are than you even realize. From the stereotypical elder, middle, and youngest sibling traits to the unique qualifications that shake things up, birth order theory is just one way to explain what makes you, you! Explore the phenomenon and see how it lines up with you and your family's personalities. Psychotherapist Alfred Adler was the first to propose a theory on how birth order impacted personality. Birth order theory suggests that birth order can affect the developing personality of a child. Eldest children, youngest children, middle children, and only children all fall into statistical groups with similar personality traits. That's not to say that every child will display every trait (or even any trait) associated with their place in the birth order; only that there's a statistical correlation that seems to suggest the probability that a child's ranking in birth order may result in certain traits that are common to other children of the same ranking. The sections below list characteristics of birth order that are often common to children of the same rank in birth order. It's important to note that these characteristics aren't set in stone and that just because your child falls into a certain rank in the birth order doesn't mean that he or she will display all, or even any, of the characteristics outlined. The unique position of the only child in a household of adults often results in a number of common personality traits: Close relationship with parents Natural born leaders Possess a high level of self-control Communicate and get along well with adults Can be demanding Can be spoiled and self-absorbed May feel a sense of "specialness" May feel they are being treated unfairly if they don't get their own way May be quite sensitive Often mature and dependable Often very private in nature Likes being the center of attention Will often "divide and conquer" parents in order to get what they want May relate better to adults than peers Famous only children include Robin Williams, Natalie Portman, Tipper Gore, Rudy Giuliani, Alan Greenspan, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Kareem-Abdul Jabbar. The oldest child is the only child for a period of time and can often show similar traits to only children; however, being the oldest of a group of siblings also may bring about other personality traits including the following: People pleasers Natural leaders High achievers Conformist Might be bossy or a know-it-all Are often very organized and prompt Might be overachievers They may behave in a very authoritarian manner, especially towards younger siblings May seek attention - in both positive and negative ways Often controlling May become compliant and nurturing Famous first borns include Oprah Winfrey, Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, and Arsenio Hall. More than half of the American presidents have been first born children. Related: Middle children generally display similar personality characteristics, although middle child traits are more likely to appear in children who are in the middle of three than in middle children of larger families. Some middle child characteristics include the following: Flexible Easy-going Independent May be an excellent mediator or negotiator May feel that life is unfair May feel unloved or squeezed out by siblings Can be highly adaptable Often generous and sociable May try to differentiate themselves from the eldest sibling through behaviors and interests May perceive that the oldest and youngest child as the parents' "favorites" Might be rebellious Engage in attention-seeking behaviors May be extremely competitive Famous middle-born children include Donald Trump, Tim Allen, Rosie O'Donnell, and Julia Roberts. The baby of the family is often looked on as a carefree and spoiled position in the family. Characteristics of youngest children include: Often silly or funny Can display risk-taking behaviors Are often creative Can be very self-centered Often feels inferior as if everyone else is bigger and more capable Is highly competitive Can become bored easily Are usually friendly and outgoing with a terrific sense of humor Expect others to care for them and take responsibility for them Will often ally with the oldest sibling against the middle sibling (if three children) Can be equal parts charming and manipulative May be very idealistic Famous youngest children include Howard Stern, Ralph Nadar, and Jay Leno. There's psychological reasoning behind birth order and the different personality traits of siblings, but certain scenarios and situations could change these characteristics, including: Gender can throw off the typical birth order structure if the first two children born are different genders. When this happens, they often both have the personality traits of the oldest child. As for a large family, if there is one boy (or one girl) in the family, that child will not be in their typical birth order role. Or if a family displays favoritism or places more value on one gender over another, the dynamic will be different as well. If there are five or more years between siblings, the birth order role will not apply. Since the age between siblings is so great, it is considered a new start or 'new family' with a 'new firstborn'. When siblings are born one to two years apart, there may be more conflict and competition especially if they are the same gender. The ideal age difference between siblings tends to be three to four years. They are still close in age but can still have their own identity and interests. The older sibling naturally tends to be domineering and bossy towards their younger siblings. But if they are close in age and the younger sibling eventually outgrows or outsmarts the older sibling, the dynamic can change. When a younger sibling has a stronger, more confident disposition or temperament than their older sibling, this may throw off the birth order role. If a younger sibling is an overachiever in school or excels exponentially in sports or music, they tend to get special, even priority treatment, and birth order tends to shift. Another scenario is a sibling who has a disability and needs special care. Often these situations will alter the birth order role as well. The birth order role doesn't typically apply to twins. They have a special position in the family and tend to operate independently of the traditional birth order roles. When families are blended due to remarriage, the sibling dynamic can be incredibly confusing and complicated depending on the ages of the children. It's not unusual for the children to need some time to establish themselves in their new family hierarchy. From astrology to birth order, there are so many ways we can explain how we were quite literally born this way. While these characteristics might align with who you are, don't let them define you! Birth order might have had an influence on shaping you, but there's more to who you are then the position you were born in.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
What your favourite colour really says about you, according to a psychologist
Can a person's favourite colour reveal an insight in their personality? According to Swiss psychologist Max Lucier, there is a correlation between someone's favourite hue and their character. As far back as the 1940s, he was formulating a test, based on his theory that if two people share the same favourite colour, they may share personality traits. Now, these qualities have been shared by TikThought in a series of videos on TikTok. According to one of the clips: 'The famous psychologist Carl Jung once said that colour is the mother tongue of the subconscious. Colours can directly convey our latent emotions in the code of our character.' However, not everyone agrees with this: a study published in 2021 - titled What Does Your Favourite Colour Say About Your Personality? Not Much - looked into whether there was a connection between the two things. Following their testing, the authors concluded: 'Favourite colours appear unrelated to personality, failing to support the practical utility of colour-based personality assessment.' But the theory is still popular among some people, who believe that knowing which hues someone likes means you can gauge what they may be like in terms of character. Green According to TikThought: 'Green is the base colour of nature symbolising vitality and hope. It makes people think of lush trees and a peaceful forest.' The video added that those who like green 'usually have a calm and composed personality and firm willpower'. In addition, it claimed, they have strong self control and the ability to withstand pressure. Fans of green are rational thinkers who are 'not easily swayed when facing things', and who can always maintain a balanced and stable emotional state. People who like the earthy hue are good at planning tasks, and at self-management, always conducting themselves in an orderly manner. When it comes to social settings, they dislike flaunting themselves, and prefer to be quiet and trustworthy. In a similar vein, they provide people with a feeling of security and stability. They are also patient. They strongly believe in things they care about and are not easily swayed when it comes to beliefs they hold close to their hearts, which can come across as stubbornness. Green is connected to jealousy in some cultures, and some green personalities may feel possessiveness in close relationships. 'Overall, those who prefer green are like evergreen trees, giving people a sense of steadfastness and reliability,' said the video. 'They balance their lives with reason and perseverance, but they also need to be careful not to be overly stubborn.' Blue According to TikThought, blue evokes feelings of peace and reliability, and the majority of blue lovers are calm and steady-tempered, seeking harmony and tranquility within themselves. They approach situations with their own set of values and beliefs. People who prefer blue are frequently trustworthy individuals who value honesty and dependability in their interactions with peers. Because they are always there to listen patiently and provide comfort, friends are willing to confide in them. They prefer environments that are steady and well-organised, and similarly, everything they do is done in a systematic way. Such individuals have a deep-seated desire for peace and security: if the world is too chaotic and tense, they will feel uneasy or even in pain. However, despite all these positive characteristics, blue-lovers can occasionally come out as too traditional, inflexible, and unyielding. They can also appear aloof, uninteresting, or even depressed in social settings. The video concludes: 'However, overall, those who prefer blue are like a quiet lake, nourishing the people around them with reason and sincerity, making people feel steadfast and trustworthy.' Purple People who like purple 'have a rich imagination and delicate emotions', according to the video, which added that they 'often pursue uniqueness, don't follow the beaten path, and are full of love and sensitivity towards art and beauty'. Reflecting that purple is a blend of red and blue, those who favour the colour are, the video claimed, on the one hand sentimental, sensitive and delicate, and on the other hand, they have passion and fantasy and hope that their lives are full of romantic surprises. 'Such people often have a bit of a poet's temperament and long for unique experiences,' the clip continued. 'They may show outstanding talents in music, art, literature and other aspects'. In addition, they can appear very charming. However, the purple personality can sometimes seem emotional and unrealistic, with those who love the colour perhaps 'indulging in romantic fantasies and being impatient with the ordinariness of reality'. They can be immature, and their excessive idealism can mean they are sometimes divorced from reality, as they fall into the dreams they have imagined. 'However, it is precisely this yearning for an ideal realm that makes those who prefer purple romanticists in life,' the video said. 'They believe that life needs a sense of ritual and a touch of fantasy.' Yellow 'Yellow represents the energy of happiness and an optimistic attitude. People who like yellow often have a childlike innocence and creativity,' according to the video on this hue. Those who favour the bright tone have 'a rich imagination [...] beautiful expectations and longings for life'. In addition, their personality is cheerful: people whose top colour is yellow 'love to laugh and have fun, are a bit abstract, and are eager to make friends in social situations', the clip added. They are described as being like a warm light illuminating the surroundings. And they are not afraid to display their personality and talents, and are very willing to share happiness with others. In fact, they actually want to convey these feelings of happiness to everyone around them. However, there is a 'shadow side' to people who love yellow, according to the video. and that is being overly optimistic, sometimes ignoring the details and practical problems in life. 'Having a preference for yellow sometimes reveals a sense of dependence,' the video added. 'For example, they long for the attention and care of others when they are in a low mood.' Pink According to the video, people who like pink 'often have a childlike innocence in their hearts [...] an easy going and kind personality and are innocent and lovely, giving people an impression of being pure and harmless'. It added that those who like pink are friendly to others, compassionate and have a natural instinct to take care of others. Most people who favour the rosy hue 'yearn for pure and beautiful emotions [...] and long for a life full of love and harmony'. In line with this, they 'often pursue a fairy tale like love'. In the same way they hope to be treated gently by others, they are willing to treat others with tenderness and kindness. Those who like pink are described as being delicate, sensitive, vulnerable, and extremely sensitive to the words and deeds of others. As a result, a neglect or criticism may make them feel hurt and sad. 'Sometimes they are prone to immerse themselves in their own fantasy world and escape reality when they are alone,' the video said, adding: 'People with a pink personality are used to filling themselves with beautiful imaginations. They have longings for romantic love and a perfect life in their hearts.' The downside to this is that excessive idealisation may also lead to disappointment and when reality is not as good as expected, they will feel at a loss. 'It can be said that those who prefer pink are like a crystal ball that needs to be carefully cared for,' the video noted. 'They are crystal clear but fragile, they touch people's hearts with their kindness and simplicity, but they also need to learn to be strong and take good care of their sensitive souls.' White 'People who like white often pursue pure ideals and perfect results and have an obvious tendency towards perfectionism, whether in life or at work, they are strict with themselves and go all out just to meet the almost demanding standards of perfection in their hearts,' the video said. It added that people who like the colour have 'a gentle and kind side in their character'. They are described as being honest and friendly, and they stride to 'establish sincere and simple relationships with people'. In addition, they don't like grandiosity and complexity - rather, they value sincerity and kindness more, and advocate a simple and plain life. In line with this, they are described as having 'firm principles and a sense of morality in their hearts'. However, the downside to this is that they can make high demands when it comes to both themselves and others, and will often brood over small mistakes. They fear making these small errors, and so can appear cautious and sensitive when the external environment is not as expected or they are misunderstood by others. 'Those who like white are prone to feelings of loneliness and loss because there is a gap between the whiteness of their inner world and the complexity of reality,' the video noted. 'They need to learn to accept the imperfections of life, understand that occasional dust on the white clothes is also a part of growth.' Grey Red With red being a dazzling and vibrant colour, those who are drawn to it are 'often natural focal points', according to the video. 'They have an outgoing and lively personality, full of confidence, as if they have an inexhaustible supply of energy and are always full of vitality and drive,' it added. Red personalities usually don't hide their emotions, it continued, claiming that they 'dare to love and hate and act resolutely'. They are competitive and ambitious, and have a strong enterprising spirit, desire for leadership and fondness for being the centre of attention. The downside of this can be having a hasty side, and potentially being overly competitive. Those who like red may also have a quick temper and little patience. 'Overall, the hearts of those who prefer red are as hot as fire,' the video concluded. 'They use passion as fuel to drive themselves forward. The colour, a person likes determines the nature of their character.' People who like grey generally 'don't like to get involved in disputes and tend to view problems from an objective and neutral position'., according to the video. It continued: 'They are low key and cautious in their dealings with others, don't like extreme emotions, and are even less willing to show a clear stance in social situations.' Additionally, those who favour the colour were described as 'quiet onlookers', who 'neither stand in the centre of the stage to attract attention, nor pretend to be mysterious to arouse curiosity'. They were further described as being well educated and polite, making others feel stable and reliable in their company. However, there are downsides too. According to the video: 'Having an excessive preference for grey may also mean evasion and suppression. Some psychologists point out that people who like grey the most may have a tendency to feel inferior in their hearts [...] in key decisions, they may seem indecisive and lack assertiveness.' Passively going with the flow, and being reluctant to invest too much emotion means they can avoid risks, but can miss opportunities. Those who prefer gray are like a quiet cloud,' the clip concluded. 'They neither actively cater to the outside world nor resist it too much. They pursue a peaceful state in their hearts, but they also need to remind themselves to make bold choices occasionally, so that their lives can have more colour.' Orange 'Most people who like orange have an outgoing personality, are energetic and are sincere and straightforward in treating others,' the video said. 'They are usually people who are emotionally expressive and can't hide things in their hearts. They are not afraid to make new friends or adapt to new environments. Their cheerful and generous personality enables them to quickly integrate into unfamiliar teams.' In addition, Orange personalities are good at building interpersonal relationships, as they are good at dealing with people. This means that when they attend events like parties, their presence means it is extremely unlikely that there will be an awkward silence. Even when they have their own problems, those who favour orange are always proactive and willing to help others. In a team, they will 'often play the role of a joker'. However, while they usually have excellent social skills, they may not be good at maintaining long term and deep relationships: while they good at making a wide range of friends, making a relationship deep and stable may be a bit of a challenge for them.'
