Hasset et al. Flashcards
IV and DV
Independent Variable (IV): Gender of monkey.
Dependent Variable (DV): Frequency of interaction with toys, Duration of interaction with toys, Magnitude of preference score .
Design
Experimental design: Independent measures.
Psychology being investigated
- Investigation of gender differences in toy preferences
- Exploration of societal influences, innate activity biases, and prenatal hormonal exposure as potential factors shaping toy preferences
- Examination of toy preferences in both human children and nonhuman primates, specifically rhesus monkeys
- Analysis of the evolutionary and biological basis of toy preferences
- Understanding the intersection of biology and socialization in shaping gender-typed behavior, particularly in childhood toy selection
Aim
Study examined whether rhesus monkeys prefer “masculine” and “feminine” toys and if it’s due to natural differences or upbringing as in society impact.
Background
- Toy play is a well-established behavioral difference between boys and girls
- Previous research attributes these differences to socialization processes and prenatal hormone exposure
- Nonhuman primate studies have provided some insights into the biological aspects of toy preferences
- This study aims to investigate toy preferences in rhesus monkeys to further explore the biological and evolutionary factors influencing these preferences
Sample and Technique
82 rhesus monkeys. 21 male and 61 female Only 11 male and 23 female rhesus monkeys qualified for data analysis.
Sampling technique:Opportunity Sampling
Procedure
Seven 25-minute trials were completed in the outdoor enclosure, each with a different pair of toys. Before each observation, observers placed a pair of toys (1 wheeled, 1 plush) outside while the monkeys waited inside. Toys were placed 10 metres apart and their positions were counterbalanced (to ensure the monkeys didn’t prefer a certain area of the enclosure).
The toys varied in shape, size, and colour, and were selected on what you could ‘do’ with them. There were:
- 6 wheeled toys, including a wagon, truck, and car.
- 7 Plush toys, including a Winnie-the-Pooh, Raggedy Ann, and Scooby Doo doll.
Method
The study involved a group of 135 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) living in a multi-male, multi-female social structure at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center Field Station. The animals had lived together for over 25 years. Fourteen monkeys were excluded due to prior hormonal treatment, and another 39 newborns were not coded due to identification difficulties. This left 61 females and 21 males as potential subjects. They were housed in 25m x 25m outdoor enclosures.
Research method:Experimental/observation
Ethical issues
- The study involves observing and manipulating the behavior of rhesus monkeys, raising concerns about their welfare and ethical treatment in terms of stress, but this is a very minor point
- Monkeys were housed in their usual groups
- The monkeys were given food and water as usual
Strengths
- By presenting the monkeys with simultaneous access to different types of toys, the study created a more ecologically valid experimental setup, resembling real-world toy choice scenarios
- The study carefully considered and controlled for potential confounding variables such as social rank and age of the monkeys, increasing the internal validity of the results
- The findings of the study showed striking similarities to human toy preferences, suggesting that the observed sex differences in toy choice may have evolutionary roots rather than being solely socially determined
Weaknesses
- The study focused solely on rhesus monkeys, limiting the generalizability of the findings to other primate species or to humans
- The study used a group preference testing method rather than individual preference testing, which might not fully capture individual variations in toy preferences within the group
- There could be potential biases in the categorization of toys as “masculine” or “feminine” based on human perceptions, which may not fully align with the monkeys’ perspectives or preferences
Nature vs Nurture
Hassett believed that toy preferences in humans are due to nature because male monkeys prefer wheeled toys over plush toys, whereas females show no clear preference.
Findings supported the nurture debate that interactions were affected by social rank. Female monkeys’ social rank was positively correlated with the time spent interacting with both toys. However, female dominance is influenced by testosterones
Application to real life
Findings are helpful when choosing toys for children. Results suggest that boys like moving toys, so if a parent wants to develop their empathy, toy vehicles with expressive faces can be bought.
As girls like plush toys with faces, their visuospatial skills can be improved by using toys with moving parts but in a context where dolls are included. For example, playing a scene with toy school buses and dolls.
Results
- Rhesus monkeys showed a sex difference in toy preferences similar to that observed in humans, with males preferring wheeled toys and females showing no significant preference for either toy type.
- Age did not significantly impact toy interactions in either males or females
- Male monkeys interacted significantly less with plush toys compared to female monkeys, while interactions with wheeled toys were comparable between sexes
Conclusion
- It highlights the importance of considering individual and situational factors, such as personality traits, past experiences, and social dynamics, alongside biological and social factors in understanding toy preferences
- The findings underscore the need for a bit tricky approach that integrates multiple levels of analysis to comprehensively understand complex behaviors such as toy preferences
- The study contributes to our understanding of the interplay between biological predispositions and environmental influences in shaping behavior, both in humans and non-human primates
