ABSTRACT
Rivalry can lead to creative or destructive processes. This chapter provides destructive results of rivalry: the killing of brother or sister. One explanation lies in the role of sibling rivalry, in that rivalry and conflict among siblings are more intense within rather than between sexes. The most prominent theme in cases of siblicide is intense conflict over property, money, authority or entitlement. It has been found that in the majority of cases, arguments between victim and perpetrator preceded the incident and that these cases were characterized by a history of sibling rivalry. The birth-order effect regarding siblicide incidents was discussed by Sulloway in 1996. Employing a Darwinian point of view, he claimed that the majority of siblicides would be committed by older siblings and firstborns would be most likely to commit siblicide. It has been proposed that siblicide is more likely to occur when the rivalry among siblings continues even after adulthood and they do not leave their parents’ home.
