According to Alfred Adler's theory about birth order, which applies to only or oldest children?

• A. Only children tend to prefer the company of adults to the company of children.
• B. Oldest children are always natural leaders.
• C. Only children prefer peers equally well.
• D. Birth order has no influence on personality.

Answer: (A)

Adler’s birth order ideas show that where a child fits in the family changes who they spend time with and how they interact. An only child grows up with constant adult attention, so they become very comfortable around adults and naturally seek adult company more than that of peers. This pattern captures why an only child would tend to prefer being with adults rather than with other children; the social world they know best is the adult world, and they’ve learned to navigate conversations, expectations, and activities through that lens. Oldest children also feel strong adult influence early on, since they’re the focus of parental guidance as the first born, which can reinforce an adult-oriented social stance, though individual differences always exist. The other options rely on absolutes or contradict Adler’s emphasis on family dynamics and social development, such as claiming oldest children are always natural leaders, or that only children are equally adept with peers, or that birth order has no influence at all.