PlatPhorm Podcasts

436. The psychology of sibling rivalry

The Psychology of your 20s · July 6, 2026

436. The psychology of sibling rivalry artwork

episode · Checking source

436. The psychology of sibling rivalry

The Psychology of your 20s

In many ways, sibling rivalry is an integral part of growing up in a multiple-child household – the arguments, the jealousy, the competition. But as we explore in this episode, those sibling dynamics often don’t stop in childhood, but actually following us into our 20s and adulthood, shaping how we see ourselves, relate to our families, and how we carry old roles. We explore: • Why a level of rivalry is developmentally expected • The evolutionary perspective on resource competition • The role of birth order and family roles • How sibling rivalry can transpire in adulthood • How to begin acknowledging and rewriting old roles Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @ jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @ thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @ thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com Our favourite sources: https://prevention.psu.edu/news/the-psychology-behind-sibling-rivalry/ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10567-011-0104-5 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0192513X211064876 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10826-016-0429-2 The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View original

In many ways, sibling rivalry is an integral part of growing up in a multiple-child household – the arguments, the jealousy, the competition. But as we explore in this episode, those sibling dynamics often don’t stop in childhood, but actually following us into our 20s and adulthood, shaping how we see ourselves, relate to our families, and how we carry old roles. We explore: • Why a level of rivalry is developmentally expected • The evolutionary perspective on resource competition • The role of birth order and family roles • How sibling rivalry can transpire in adulthood • How to begin acknowledging and rewriting old roles Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @ jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @ thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @ thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com Our favourite sources: https://prevention.psu.edu/news/the-psychology-behind-sibling-rivalry/ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10567-011-0104-5 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0192513X211064876 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10826-016-0429-2 The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Published
July 6, 2026
Status
active
GUID hash
1262217f69e2f2a1b55445257a179b3ff6e6f9afda732e03a4a97fb8f782d5b4
Archive key
436-the-psychology-of-sibling-rivalry--entry_c07a96981cd62cb0c9b0118c8b86
Archive id
entry_c07a96981cd62cb0c9b0118c8b86