понедельник, 7 октября 2019 г.

Brothers and sisters Tips for the topic




Tips for topics



Why do brothers and sisters fight so much?


Family. Brothers and Sisters.


Personality characteristics have been a common focal point in psychological research studies through the years, and there has always been discussion as to how many family influences play a role in personality development. When it comes to nature versus nurture, or the environment a person grows up in, it is still somewhat unclear as to how much each influences personality characteristics.

Environment and Personality

The environment that children grow up in certainly has some impact on what type of personality characteristics they develop. If families are high conflict, and the children are drawn into many arguments and disagreements, they are much more likely to become withdrawn or have a personality that is conflict-driven as they grow older. In addition, if a family does not have any sort of structure within the household, children will be much more impulsive and may get into trouble more often than children who come from structured households.


Birth Order

Birth order in children can have major effects on their personality traits as they continue to get older, especially if the age between siblings is close. First-borns have been shown to take on more responsibility than younger siblings, which likely has to do with the parenting style of the new parents. They are often perfectionists who feel large amounts of pressure to accomplish the most that they can. In addition, a middle child can tend to get lost in the mix of the family and be more withdrawn and impulsive than the other children.
Genetic Factors
Despite the environment playing a role in personality traits, there are still genetic influences that play a role in the development of personality traits. Genetic similarities between the family and child can lead to children having a temperament and attitude that is similar to their parents. For example, outgoing parents can have children who are more willing to take risks as they continue to grow older.
Personality Disorders
Genetic and environmental influences also have been linked to the development of personality disorders, or deeply ingrained, inflexible patterns of personality traits that cause distress in a person's life. According to the American Psychiatric Association, genetic influences play a role in the development of personality disorders, especially in obsessive-compulsive disorder, while environmental influences such as past trauma and verbal abuse also contribute to the disorders. Developing strong bonds to people can help prevent the development of a personality disorder, whether that bond is with a parent, close relative or even a peer.

Bloggers opinions

1. Molly Grey.  Obviously everyone has a very different experience. You are born with your personality, it's "set in the stars", however nurture comes into play.
I grew up for 5 years of my life with only a mother, and so I idealised her in my mind and she was my shining beacon that I looked to as a kid. So I learnt to reply to things the way she would, laugh at the things she would, adopt her mannerisms, almost without realising at all.
My father on the other hand is a complete narcissist, and I feel this shaped me almost as much. He would come to talk to me every year or two, hand me some money, perhaps argue with me (without me having to really reply) and then leave. I was selfish, stubborn and spoilt in his eyes and this led me to be stubborn in my own viewpoints. It knocked me down to the point where I stopped talking for a while but it strengthened the resilience aspect of my personality.
In brief, I may have been born with a similar personality type to my mother regardless but my surrounding environment as I've grown up has definitely played apart in who I am today.

2. Alex Bason  I don't think that family influences personality at all. We are all born with different traits which are part of our DNA structure. These can not be altered, as it is built into the very fibre of our being. This is what makes us who we are as individuals. One can be influenced by family, sure, but I see these moments more as “suggestions” or “advice”, it doesn't change your personality. On the other hand, an extreme event such as trauma to the body, could be either physical or emotional, I would say could come close to influencing the personality of said person, and depending on the severity of the trauma might even be able to alter that person’s mindset in such a profound way that they could just snap and land up in a mental health facility and so by default, they had in fact become different people to the people they once were before the event, then in that case, sure, their personality had been affected. Although, not by choice. Now, whether family can influence personality I would say that the answer is no, but it depends on the circumstances.

3. Anthony Hill. Beliefs, points of view on everything really, confidence in self, trust, respect for others and self, really endless. Your first teacher in this world is family. Later in life you can branch away from family and make friends and learn how their families live. You can learn outside the family and find new ways of life and flex your convictions. You can work with people from all over the world and further learn more about the way others live that is different then the way you were brought up. At the core of your beginnings is your family or lack there of.
Tasks to the topic:
  1. According to the text, which factors influence the development of personality?
  2. Which of the influential factors do you consider to be the most important? Why?
  3. Which of the blogger's opinion do you agree? Disagree? Why?

Having siblings. Advantages and disadvantages

For people from larger families, the advantages and disadvantages of having siblings might be obvious. But there are advantages beyond always having someone to play with, and disadvantages more serious than having to share toys. Having siblings has upsides and downfalls that depend on many factors, from birth order to the innate abilities of brothers and sisters.
More Family Interaction
  • Adults with brothers and sisters get out a little more, or at least spend more time with their extended families. Adults without siblings have fewer social activities with their relatives, according to 2019 research in the Journal of Family Issues. These activities may include dinners at family member’s homes, or a night out with family members. This is especially true of those who did not live with both parents during childhood. However, this research suggests that while only children may have fewer opportunities for socializing with family, these differences may become less pronounced as people age.
Younger Siblings and Mental Health
  • Having an older sibling may promote good mental health in younger brothers and sisters both in the short and long term, according to 2019 research published in Social Science and Medicine. Mental health markers include lower rates of depression, less anxiety and more life satisfaction. However, there is a catch; having younger siblings may trigger poorer mental health in older siblings, though more research is needed to determine specific causes. The study’s researchers noted that while children from larger families may experience parental time constraints and economic difficulties, these families have important mental health benefits, at least for subsequent children.
Learning Opportunities
  • Having siblings promotes learning, notes research published in the Journal of Cognition and Development. According to this study, playtime led to children sharing both procedural knowledge, such as how to build a tower, and conceptual knowledge, such as how to distinguish between shapes or the days of the week. While younger children may learn more from older siblings, these teaching opportunities go both ways as children grow.
Economic Strain and Potential for Delinquency
  • The more children in a family, the farther resources have to stretch. And economic strain, along with inconsistent parenting, may lead to increases in juvenile delinquency in younger siblings, reports a 2019 study published in the Journal of Family Psychology. These effects are especially pronounced in siblings who have older brothers and sisters engaged in delinquent behaviors such as stealing or lying. And the more financial problems, the worse the behavior tends to be. This suggests that families may struggle more with younger siblings when older siblings are engaged in problem behaviors, particularly if finances are already tight.

Bloggers opinions

  1. Ida Arno. I think having other siblings can definitely be a good thing. That's because if we are alone in the family, with no siblings at all, it can be a pretty boring life. If there are siblings, we can talk with them, interact and also share problems and whatnot. There might be quarrels, of course, but at the end of the day, the joy and laughter plus memories are what make everything just so special.
  2. Michael Bark. The answer to this question is simple, When you have a sibling, then you don't get all the attention. You don't get all the things you need. Everything is basically shared in your home. Wiith elder brothets or sisters you become a slave in your childhood. If you are the eldest, you become a nurse and a babysitter. I personally believe it is better not to have one.
  3. Florence May. I have a brother and sister, both younger than me. Growing up, I sometimes wished I was the only one. I was constantly compared to them, and since I was the oldest I had more chores and had to take care of them. But now that I'm older i feel a connection, a bond with them that I didn't have while growing up with them. We are all very close now, so thats definitely an advantage. Just remember the hard times and you will look back and laugh later, maybe even with them.


It is great to be an only child in the family. 


Some people are convinced that being the only kid in the family is wonderful, while others hold the idea that growing up in a large family is more beneficial.
As far as I am concerned, it is preferable to live in a one-child family for a few reasons. Firstly, the only kid may become better educated and entertained for all his parents’ attention is concentrated on him or her. Secondly, it saves time and money. The last but not the least is that children in large families often have to compete with one another and prove their worth in order to win parents’ attention which may lead to low self-esteem, while the only child in the family does not have to live up to anyone’s expectations.
However, some people do not share my point of view. According to them, growing up as the only child may be harmful for a child’s character since this way of upbringing may make children lonely and demanding.
Nevertheless, I do not quite agree with my opponents’ point of view. First of all, as the only child, you may grow up to be more independent and able to fend for yourself better. Furthermore, not having an elder sibling to help you every step of the way may be beneficial and make you capable of looking after yourself earlier in life.
To sum it all up, I think that being the only child may certainly have its advantages. Although a number of people do not quite share my point of view, I firmly believe that having more children does not necessarily lead to a happier home.
Tasks to the topic:
1. Do you see more advantages or more disadvantages in having siblings?
2. Do you agree with thw idea that the only children become self-centred and selfish?
3. Which of the blogger's opinion do you agree? Disagree? Why?

Good family relationships: how to build them


Why family relationships are important

Good family relationships are enjoyable for their own sake  it just feels good to be part of a warm and loving family.
But good family relationships are important for lots of other reasons too. They:
  • make children feel secure and loved, which helps their brains develop
  • can help to overcome difficulties with children’s eating, sleeping, learning and behaviour
  • make it easier for your family to solve problems and resolve conflict
  • help parents and children respect differences of opinions 
  • give children the skills they need to build healthy relationships of their own.

Quality time and family relationships

  • Quality family time can happen anywhere. It’s about making the most of the time you spend together. Here are some ways you can make quality time happen in your family:
  • Use everyday time together to talk and share a laugh. For example, family meals and car travel can be great times to catch up on the day.
  • Have one-on-one chats with each family member to strengthen individual relationships. It can just be five minutes before going to bed to bed.
  • Do regular, fun things together as a family. This can be as simple as a family soccer game at the local park on Saturdays, or a family board games night each week.
  • Make decisions together about what to do for special events like birthdays. Even young children can be part of these decisions.

Cards for oral test, I-st term


Oral test. 11 grade. I term. For students.



Card #1. Give a talk on the topic Brothers and sisters.
      Remember to say:
·        How family influences personality;
·         If birth is an important factor determining personality; give your reasons;
·         What benefits of having brothers and sisters are;
·         What benefits of being an only child are.

You have to talk for 2 – 2,5 minutes. The examiner will listen until you have finished. Then she will ask you some questions.


Card #2. Give a talk on the topic Brothers and sisters.
Remember to say:
·         How family influences personality;
·         What difficulties can living with siblings cause;
·         What can improve relationships in the family;
·         If birth is an important factor determining personality; give your reasons;

You have to talk for 2 – 2,5 minutes. The examiner will listen until you have finished. Then she will ask you some questions.


Card #3. Give a talk on the topic Lucky breaks.
                  Remember to say:
·        If myths and superstitions affect people’s behaviour; give your reasons;
·        If you’ve got any good luck rituals or lucky mascots;
·        If you believe in luck; why/why not;
·        About cases of serendipity which caused inventions and discoveries;

You have to talk for 2 – 2,5 minutes. The examiner will listen until you have finished. Then she will ask you some questions.

            Card #4. Give a talk on the topic Lucky breaks.
                  Remember to say:
·        If myths and superstitions affect people’s behaviour; give your reasons;
·        If intuition is essential in our life;
·        If you are a lucky person; why/why not;
·        About cases of serendipity which caused inventions and discoveries;

You have to talk for 2 – 2,5 minutes. The examiner will listen until you have finished. Then she will ask you some questions.