Hassett Flashcards
What was the aim of Hassett et al.’s study?
To investigate whether toy preferences in rhesus monkeys resemble those of children, testing if sex differences in toy choices are biologically determined.
What type of experiment did Hassett et al. conduct?
A field experiment in the monkeys’ natural environment using an independent measures design.
What was the independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV) in the study?
IV: Gender of the monkeys.
DV: Activities with the toys (frequency and duration).
What prior evidence supports a biological basis for toy preferences in children?
Girls exposed to increased androgens during development often prefer ‘boys’ toys, even when socialised to play with ‘girls’ toys.
Why are primates used to study gender differences in toy preferences?
Primates share biological and behavioural similarities with humans, allowing controlled studies without socialisation effects.
How were the toys categorized in the study?
Wheeled toys: Masculine toys (e.g., trucks, cars).
Plush toys: Feminine toys (e.g., teddy bears, Scooby-Doo).
How was counterbalancing implemented?
The plush and wheeled toys were alternated between left and right positions during trials.
What were the criteria for data analysis in the study?
Monkeys with fewer than 5 recorded interactions were excluded, leaving 11 males and 23 females for analysis.
What toy preferences were observed in male monkeys?
Males showed a strong preference for wheeled toys in terms of both frequency and duration of interactions.
Did female monkeys show a preference for plush toys?
Females interacted more with plush toys than males, but they did not show a strong preference between toy types.
How did the preferences of monkeys compare with human children?
Both male monkeys and boys preferred masculine toys, while females (both monkeys and girls) were more variable in preferences.
Did social rank correlate with toy interactions?
In females, higher social rank was positively correlated with toy interactions, but no such correlation was found in males.
What conclusion did Hassett et al. draw from the study?
Toy preferences in monkeys suggest a biological basis, as the preferences developed in the absence of socialisation.
How might biology and socialisation interact in human children?
Biological tendencies may be reinforced by societal pressures, such as negative responses to boys playing with ‘girls’ toys.’
What are two strengths of the study?
Use of animals eliminates socialisation effects.
Highly standardised procedures with clear behaviour definitions improved reliability.
What are two weaknesses of the study?
Differences in measurement methods between monkeys (frequency) and children (duration).
Monkeys were tested in groups, while children were tested individually.
What ethical guidelines must be followed when using animals in research?
Replacement: Use alternatives like simulations when possible.
Pain/Distress: Avoid procedures causing unnecessary pain or discomfort.
Housing: Provide conditions resembling the animal’s natural environment.
How was harm to the monkeys mitigated in this study?
There is no evidence that the monkeys experienced distress, although one toy was destroyed, potentially as part of play.
How does the study relate to the nature vs. nurture debate?
It supports the nature side by showing that biological factors (hormones) influence toy preferences in the absence of socialisation.
Define socialisation in the context of gender differences.
Socialisation is the process by which society’s expectations for gender roles influence behaviour and preferences.
Define androgens and their relevance to the study.
Androgens are male hormones that influence development; exposure to these hormones affects toy preferences in girls and monkeys.
What study did Hassett et al. use for comparison with human data?
Berenbaum & Hines (1992), which showed similar toy preference patterns in children.
How were human children’s preferences measured differently from monkeys’?
Children were measured based on duration of play, while monkeys were assessed on frequency and duration.
What might be the implications of this study for parenting and education?
Understanding the biological basis of toy preferences can help avoid overemphasising stereotypes while acknowledging natural tendencies.
Could cultural bias affect interpretations of gendered toy preferences?
Yes, different cultures have varied expectations of masculinity and femininity, influencing socialisation theories.
