Bowlby
1907–1990 · UKAttachment theory
Bowlby shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Evidence strength76
Daily impact78
Difficulty68
Age span75
Expert consensus55
Urgency70
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Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology
Quick answers
What defines sibling rivalry?
Competition for attention and resources — framed by inter-sibling competition and jealousy.
Is there strong evidence on sibling rivalry?
Evidence score 76/100 reflects published cohort, RCT, and meta-analytic work — gaps remain in cross-cultural replication.
Does sibling rivalry apply at every age?
Age range 2–18 years marks peak relevance; principles may extend but intensity varies by developmental stage.
How hard is sibling rivalry in practice?
Difficulty score 68/100 captures typical caregiver load — context, support, and temperament modify real experience.
What do experts agree on?
Consensus score 55/100 — areas of agreement and live debate appear in the science section.
How urgent is attention to sibling rivalry?
Urgency 70/100 reflects time-sensitivity; some topics tolerate gradual change, others need early action.
Sibling Rivalry drew researchers from psychology, paediatrics, education, and anthropology.
Eight influential figures below span theory, clinical work, and global policy.
Eight guides worth knowing
Steinberg
b. 1952 · USAdolescent brain
Steinberg shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Mark Hinkley
b. 1970s · AustraliaScreen time research
Mark Hinkley shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Ainsworth
1913–1999 · USStrange Situation
Ainsworth shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Faber & Mazlish
20th c. · USParent communication
Faber & Mazlish shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
John Gottman
b. 1942 · USEmotion coaching
John Gottman shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Baumrind
1927–2018 · USParenting styles
Baumrind shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Jane Nelsen
b. 1940 · USPositive Discipline
Jane Nelsen shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Guides lab
Select up to three guides to compare side by side.
Bowlby
1907–1990 · UKAttachment theory
Bowlby shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Steinberg
b. 1952 · USAdolescent brain
Steinberg shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Mark Hinkley
b. 1970s · AustraliaScreen time research
Mark Hinkley shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Ainsworth
1913–1999 · USStrange Situation
Ainsworth shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Faber & Mazlish
20th c. · USParent communication
Faber & Mazlish shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
John Gottman
b. 1942 · USEmotion coaching
John Gottman shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Baumrind
1927–2018 · USParenting styles
Baumrind shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Jane Nelsen
b. 1940 · USPositive Discipline
Jane Nelsen shaped discourse on inter-sibling competition and jealousy through research and public writing.
Pick guides above to compare.
Together they moved sibling rivalry from opinion columns toward evidence-informed frameworks still debated today.
Keep exploring
Nearby ages & themes
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Sleep
Circadian development, night waking, and safe sleep environments — among the most researched and debated parenting topics globally.
Evidence 91 🍽️Feeding
Breast, bottle, solids, and picky eating — Ellyn Satter's division of responsibility frames feeding as a relational not battlefield task.
Evidence 93 📱Screen Time
Screens displace sleep, movement, and conversation — WHO, AAP, and UNESCO guidance converges on limits under five with quality over quantity debates.
Evidence 82 🚧Discipline Conflicts
When limits meet resistance — discipline conflicts escalate when stress, inconsistency, or developmental mismatch go unaddressed.
Evidence 79 🎒School Readiness
Self-regulation beats flashcards — school readiness combines executive function, language, and social entry more than early academic drilling.
Evidence 88