Scientists Say Firstborns Are More Often the Smartest in the Family

Did you grow up with siblings? If so, you probably have observed that your intelligence, despite being close, is not similar. There is a sibling who is smarter and brighter than the rest, and scientists have studied that it is often the case that it will be the firstborn. Some people could take a guess why, but the answer is actually much more simpler than most will expect.

Firstborns Tend to Score Higher on IQ Tests

Research from the University of Edinburgh has concluded that the firstborn children often outperformed their younger siblings when it comes to IQ tests and other cognitive assessments, like decision making and problem solving.

You might think that there is a scientific and genetic reason why the result was that; however, it is not actually because firstborns are slightly genetically different than their siblings, but rather, it was because of parental attention given to each sibling.

The early years of a child, especially the first five or fewer years, are one of the most important stages of human development. Receiving undivided attention and mental stimulation from the parents will heavily affect the child’s outcome. Let’s dive deeper into why and how.

Read more: World Economic Forum

The Role of Parental Attention

First Born Children Are Smarter Than Their Siblings

There is a theory about families named “resource dilution”, which simply states that the parents’ resources are finite. This includes money, time, attention, and emotional support. This means that the firstborn will likely receive most of these resources and more than their siblings.

This is because as the family grows, each child will have less access to those parental resources. This leads to lower emotional maturity, educational success, and overall well-being of children of large families compared to smaller ones.

Additionally, if you have an older sibling or if you are the oldest sibling, you will most likely take on the role of having more responsibility for taking care of the younger ones. You might also be in charge of teaching them various subjects and life skills, which will then reinforce your own learning.

This is why the oldest sibling in research studies often scored higher on tests measuring vocabulary, reading comprehension, and problem-solving.

The Intelligence Gap Is Small but Significant

You probably expected something different in your genetics that causes the firstborns to be smarter, but the resource dilution theory has more evidence and tests supporting it.

While the IQ difference between the siblings is not that different, statistically speaking, the 1.5-point gap is significant. Over time, this difference in intelligence might result in the firstborn having a more successful educational career and outcomes.

However, it is important to consider that intelligence is multifaceted, and there are many different kinds. Scoring higher on tests does not mean that they might also be more creative or better at painting or singing, or other type of skillset.

Also, the firstborns often have the most responsibility in life, which may drag them down if it becomes too heavy. Without the actual parents, they serve as the leaders of the family, becoming a mini-parent, which could cause burnout and other mental problems.

"What Science Tells Us About Firstborns, Middle Children, and Lastborns" - Jordan Peterson

Author's Final Thoughts

Scientists have found out that firstborns are often smarter than their siblings, but it does not fully predict who will become successful in life. It is just often the result of nature, as parents will have more resources and undivided attention to give to their only child before their other siblings are born.

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