sample AIMS and methodology Flashcards
ob nature vs nurture
why is hassett a biological approach
sex differences in toy preferences were seen in monkeys without socialisation to these toys, so this behaviour can be explained in terms of the effect of genetic and evolutionary differences between the sexes.
AIMS
1)To test if sex differences in children’s toy preferences result from biological factors - for example, from prenatal hormone exposure, rather than through socialization.
2)To investigate if male and female rhesus monkeys have similar toy preferences to human infants, despite no socialization experiences with human toys.
why was hasset a experiment
Researchers were looking for a causal relationship between the monkey’s sex and their toy preferences
what was the IV
sex
how was the iv operationalized
male, female
what was the DV
toy preferences
how was the DV op
type of toy was interacted more with
plush or wheeled
was it a observation
yes
type and detail of observation
Structured, covert field observation
nono partispant controlled, structured.
Observations were done through the analysis of video recordings of the monkeys in their outdoor enclosure.
how long have they been living together
25 years
why does the study have high ecological validity
Monkeys were observed in their normal enclosure.
This was their natural environment - high ecological validity.
one control of the location
High controls: researchers were able to control this environment by keeping the monkeys indoors while positioning the toys.
what type of experimental design
independent measures
what were the two experimental conditions
male
female
determined by appearance of the external sex organs - is a naturally occurring variable , therefore every monkey was only participating in one experimental condition
how many trials were conducted
7 trials were completed - each with a different pair of toys.
other data collected
When Monkeys interacted with the toys, their social rank ad age were recorded (controls).
Social rank had been determined previously by observing grooming behavior - the monkey doing the grooming is always subordinate (lower social status) than the monkey being groomed.
sample
135 monkeys
61 females and 21 males
34 who interacted with the toys on more than five occasions (34 monkeys included in the analysis)
23 female and 11 male
older then 3 months
Part of a 135 Monkey troop at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center Field Station
not participated in prenatal hormonal
type of sample
opportunity
excluded
14 monkeys who previously participated in research on prenatal hormones
39 babies who were younger than 3 months old (very hard to tell their sex)
for the four ethical principles before what does the study meet them (PPQ)
face the ethical committee
what ethical gidelines are met
Each natal group (family) was housed in a 25 X 25 meter outdoor area with access to a temperature-controlled indoor environment.
Water was available.
Provided with standard monkey feed twice a day and additional fruit and vegetables once a day.
housing deprivation
