Which of the following groups is not part of the Birth Order theory?

The Birth Order theory, developed by psychologist Alfred Adler, posits that the order in which a child is born into a family can significantly influence their personality and behavior. In this theory, the categories typically recognized include the firstborn, middle children (often referred to as second or third children), only children, and youngest children.

The first child carries characteristics associated with being a leader, responsible, and often more detail-oriented. The youngest child tends to be more carefree and social due to their position as the “baby” of the family. An only child may exhibit behaviors typical of firstborns but may also struggle with sharing since they do not have siblings.

The middle child or second child, however, is often less emphasized in some discussions of birth order. This position can vary widely, as they may differ in attributes based on the specific family dynamics and the number of siblings. Therefore, the group identified as the second child may not consistently appear in discussions of Birth Order theory in the same way as the others, making it less recognized as a distinct category in some contexts.

This reasoning supports why identifying "second child" as not explicitly recognized in the Birth Order theory is consistent with broader interpretations of the model.