hasset et al.

Question 1

psychology being investigated

Answer 1

1. Play
2. Sex differences
3. Socialisation
4. The role of hormones

Question 2

background

Answer 2

-Hassett et al. (2008) were interested in research into congenital adrenal
hyperplasia (CAH). For example, XX girls with CAH prefer stereotypically
masculine toys, even when encouraged to play with stereotypically feminine toys.
-Previous monkey research found that masculine toys were played with more
by male than by female monkeys; likewise, female monkeys showed a strong
preference for feminine over masculine toys.
-As monkeys are not affected by societal expectations about gender-appropriate
behaviour, Hassett et al. believed sex differences in toy preferences are
determined by nature more than nurture.

Question 3

Aims

Answer 3

1. To investigate sex differences in monkey toy preferences when presented with a
   stereotypically feminine toy and a stereotypically masculine toy.
2. To provide support for the role of nature (not nurture) in shaping sex differences
   in human toy preferences.

Question 4

Research method

Answer 4

experiment

Question 5

Research technique

Answer 5

independent measures design

Question 6

Independent variable

Answer 6

whether the monkey was male or female

Question 7

Dependent variable

Answer 7

whether monkeys spend longer (in seconds) interacting with
the wheeled toy or the plush toy.

Question 8

Sample

Answer 8

Size: 135 juvenile and adult monkeys; 14 excluded (previous participation in
hormone research); 39 infants excluded (looked too alike to accurately record sex).

Demographic: the monkey troop had lived together at a research centre for 25 years.

Sampling technique: opportunity; the analysis included data from 23 females and
11 males, each of whom interacted with the toys at least five times.

Question 9

Procedure

Answer 9

1. Different pairs of wheeled and plush toys were used in each observation (e.g. wagon/
   teddy, truck/Scooby-Doo).
2. Observers recorded:
   – duration of toy interactions (in seconds)
   – specific behaviours using a behavioural checklist (e.g. holding, dragging).
3. Unclear behaviours were discussed between the two observers.

Question 10

Controls

Answer 10

1. Monkeys were kept indoors while toys were positioned.
2. Toys were placed 10 m apart.
3. Toy positions were counterbalanced

Question 11

Ethical issues

Answer 11

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals guidelines were upheld, such as
appropriate housing:
– appropriate housing (25 m2 outdoor enclosure with a temperature-controlled
indoor area)
– constant access to water, daily monkey chow and fresh fruit and vegetables

Question 12

Results

Answer 12

1. 73 per cent of the males preferred wheeled toys, 9 per cent preferred plush toys
   and 18 per cent showed no significant preference.
2. 30 per cent of females preferred the plush toys, 39 per cent preferred the
   wheeled toys and 30 per cent showed no significant preference for either toy.
3. The data from the monkey observations were compared with data from a similar
   study using children. Both sets of results show that males significantly prefer masculine to
   feminine toys and, though there is not a difference in the preference of females
   for feminine toys.

Question 13

Conclusions

Answer 13

Toy preferences in both humans and monkeys are influenced by hormonal sex
differences. These biological differences lead males and females to prefer different
activities. Differing activity/play preferences lead to sex differences in cognition
and behaviour.

Question 14

Evaluation

Answer 14

1. Reliability
   -well operationalised behavioural checklist (S)
   -an unexpected event (W)
2. Validity
   -7 observational trials (S)
   -use of video cameras (S)
3. Objectivity
   -use of quantitative data (S)
   -potential observer bias (W)
4. Generalisations
   -generalising beyond the sample (W)
   -generalising to everyday life (W)

Question 15

Issues and debates

Answer 15

1. Application to everyday life
   -The findings may be helpful to people who design and market toys, as well as
   parents when buying toys for children.
   -Empathy and language skills could be developed in boys through play with
   wheeled toys which have expressive faces.
   - Visuospatial skills could be developed in girls using toys with moving parts that
   can be used to create a social situation.
2. Nature versus nurture
   - The findings support nature over nurture.
   - Differences in toy preference result from hormonal differences between the
   sexes.
   - Males showed stronger sex-typed toy preferences than females.
   - Toy preferences were also affected by social rank. Role within the group also
   affected time spent interacting with toys.
3. Use of children and animals in psychological research
   - Conclusions from animals were extrapolated to children.
   - Using animals allowed the researchers to control the environment, increasing
   validity.
   - Using
   animals allowed the researchers to examine the effect of biological factors without the variable of previous social and cultural
   experiences