The relative contribution of gender labels and play style(masculine or feminine) in playmate selection was evaluated In 40 children between the ages of 4 and 6 years using a novel Interview measure.
The date was analyzed by the 2×2 ANOVA, when targe...
The relative contribution of gender labels and play style(masculine or feminine) in playmate selection was evaluated In 40 children between the ages of 4 and 6 years using a novel Interview measure.
The date was analyzed by the 2×2 ANOVA, when targets' gender labels and targets' play style were presented as independent dimensions, children showed predicted sex differences in preferences for gender labels [F(1,36) = 45.00, P<.001] and for play styles [F(1,36) = 39.42, P<.001].
When targets' gender labels and targets' play styles were presented as competing dimensions, children showed sex differences [F(1,36) = 4.47, P<.05]. Boys of all ages chose female targets with masculine play styles over male targets with feminine play styles. In contrast, younger girls(4-year olds) chose female targets with masculine play styles, whereas older girls(6-7ear olds) chose male targets with feminine play style.