Hasset Et Al (Psych/ Backround)

Question 1

Summarise the psychology being investigated in Hasset Et Al’s study

Answer 1

1. Sex differences
2. Socialisation
3. Play and activity preference
4. Role of hormones

Question 2

Psychology being investiagted: Sex differences

Answer 2

• The study explores (well-established) sex differences in toy preferences.
• Boys showing a stronger prefrence for masculine-type toys
• Girls showing more variability/ no significant prefrences for the toy types
• This sex differences is examined in humans but also rhesus monkeys (male monkeys had a consistent preference for wheeled toys, similar to boys preferences)

Question 3

2. Socialisation

Answer 3

• It is suggested that socialisation processes is the primary force that shapes sex differences in toy preferences. Like parents/ peers rewarding play with gender specfic toys.
• Thus it is society’s endorsment of toys as masculine or feminine that drive childrens toy preferences that utimately conform to gender roles.
• But this study suggests that sex differences in toy preferences develop without explicit gender socialisation and indicate other biological factors such as hormones/ brain differences.

Question 4

3. Play and activity preference

Answer 4

• Toy preferences reflect biologically determined preferences for specific activities. Which are facilitated by specific toys. (active manipulation/cradiling)
• Thus, sex differences in toy preferences result from differences in activity preferences. Which are shaped by different prenatal hormonal enviroments

Question 5

3. Role of hormones

Answer 5

1. Prenatal hormone exposure is known to influence childrens toy preferences (paticularly androgens)
2. The study references evidence from a study on girls with CAH who exhibit more boy-typical toy preferences than their unaffected sisters/ control girls.
3. Thus suggesting toy preferneces are sensitive to prenatal androgen exposure supporting the idea/hypothesis that biological factors play a role in shaping toy preferences.