According to research in developmental psychology, the ability of birth order to predict behavior is best described as which of the following?

• A. Strong, with firstborns consistently showing superior outcomes
• B. Deterministic, fully determining personality traits
• C. Universal, affecting all individuals in the same way
• D. Weak, with little consistent evidence supporting strong effects

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of birth order in developmental psychology, which refers to the position a child holds within the family (e.g., firstborn, middle child, lastborn) and how it might influence behavior and personality.
2. Recognize that research studies investigate whether birth order has a strong, deterministic, or universal effect on personality traits and behavior outcomes.
3. Evaluate the evidence from multiple studies, noting that findings often show inconsistent or weak correlations between birth order and behavior, rather than strong or universal effects.
4. Interpret the term 'weak' in this context as meaning that birth order may have some influence, but it is not a reliable or strong predictor of behavior across all individuals.
5. Conclude that the best description of birth order's ability to predict behavior is that it is weak, with little consistent evidence supporting strong or deterministic effects.