Accuracy of only children stereotype

Both expert and folk psychologists believe that only children are spoiled, selfish, lonely, and socially estranged. In this study, we demonstrate that the stereotypical personality profile of a typical only child differs consistently from the stereotypical profile of those who have siblings on 23 out of the 30 NEO-PI-R subscales. These differences between stereotypical personality profiles do not reflect self-descriptions because the self-rated personality profiles made by only children coincide almost perfectly with the self-rated personality profiles of those who have brothers or sisters. The multiple children stereotype reflects rather accurately both the mean normative and the socially desirable personality profile. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.