Date of Award

2-2-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. John Caputo

Second Advisor

Dr. Elizabeth Davis

Abstract

Is there a connection between birth order and communication? The answer to this question has been sought after by researchers and theorists for decades. Yet documenting incontrovertible proof of the birth order effect remains elusive. Results of birth order research vary widely depending on the focus of the study. In many instances, results vary because of differences in research approach and methods used to measure data. This research study was conducted to examine the effect ofbirth order on the development of communication preference. The premise of the study is that birth order has a measurable effect on communication efficacy within families. Analyzing within-family communication from the perspective of the birth order effect provides researchers and theorists valuable insight into personal development. This research study applied the principles of the golden mean in conjunction with two communication theories (accommodation and symbolic interactionism) to examine familial communication. For the purpose of the study, communication preference and communicator style are used interchangeably to refer to an individual's preferred method of sending, receiving, and processing information. Data was gathered via an online survey created using QuestionPro, a tool designed for that purpose. Participation was limited to individuals reared in two-parent households with at least one sibling and born to the same parents. An invitation to participate in the study was distributed via electronic mail using nonprobability sampling. Of the 157 people who responded to the invitation, 126 met the established criteria. A five-point Likert Scale was used to gather information about participants' views regarding the birth order effect.

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