Research paper on how birth order effects personality
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Research Paper: The Impact of Birth Order on Personality Development
Introduction
Birth order, the position a child holds within their family, has long been a topic of interest in psychology. This research paper aims to explore the relationship between birth order and personality development. By analyzing existing studies and psychological theories, this paper will investigate how birth order influences various aspects of personality.
Thesis Statement
Birth order significantly impacts personality development, shaping individuals’ traits, behaviors, and relationships through a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors.
Birth Order and Personality Traits
1. Firstborns: Often described as responsible, achievement-oriented, and reliable. They tend to be leaders, perfectionists, and may exhibit controlling tendencies.
2. Middle Children: Typically characterized as peacemakers, adaptable, and sociable. They may develop negotiation skills, empathy, and a desire for fairness.
3. Youngest Children: Known for being outgoing, creative, and charming. They may seek attention, be risk-takers, and exhibit rebellious behavior at times.
Psychological Theories Explaining Birth Order Effects
1. Adler’s Birth Order Theory: Alfred Adler proposed that birth order influences personality due to varying levels of attention, expectations, and parental investment received by each child.
2. Sulloway’s Evolutionary Theory: Frank Sulloway suggested that birth order effects are driven by siblings competing for parental resources and adopting distinct strategies for survival and success.
Research Findings on Birth Order and Personality
1. Studies on Firstborns: Research indicates that firstborns tend to have higher achievement motivation, leadership qualities, and conformity compared to later-born siblings.
2. Studies on Middle Children: Middle children are found to be more flexible, cooperative, and diplomatic in handling conflicts within the family dynamic.
3. Studies on Youngest Children: Youngest siblings often exhibit more risk-taking behavior, creativity, and sociability than their older siblings.
Environmental and Social Factors Influencing Birth Order Effects
1. Parental Expectations: Parents may have different expectations and parenting styles for each child based on birth order, influencing their development of personality traits.
2. Sibling Relationships: Interactions with siblings play a crucial role in shaping personality traits such as competitiveness, cooperation, and empathy.
3. Family Dynamics: Family size, spacing between siblings, and parental attention distribution can impact how birth order effects manifest in individuals.
Implications for Understanding Personality Development
– Understanding birth order effects can provide insights into individual differences in personality traits and behaviors.
– Recognizing the influence of birth order can aid in family dynamics, communication styles, and conflict resolution strategies.
– Awareness of birth order effects can inform parenting practices, educational approaches, and career counseling tailored to individuals’ unique personalities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, birth order has a significant impact on personality development, shaping individuals’ traits, behaviors, and relationships from childhood into adulthood. By considering the interplay of genetic, environmental, and social factors associated with birth order effects, psychologists can gain a deeper understanding of how family dynamics influence personality development. Further research is warranted to explore the complexities of birth order effects on personality in diverse cultural contexts and family structures.
