The purpose of this study was to determine if sex differences were observable in 1-year-olds in response to their mother and in choice and style of play with toys. Thirty-two boys and thirty-two girls were put in separate rooms with several toys, several nontoys (door knobs, taped sockets, etc.) and their mothers. The infant's mother was to…

Hypotheses were confirmed that most boys would resist sex-inappropriate behavior, boys would more often exhibit resistance techniques than girls, and boys would choose sex-appropriate toys for boys more often than for girls. (Authors)

Possible antecedents of toddler gender separation were studied with 57 toddlers with a mean age of 35 months. There were no differences between gender-segregating and nonsegregating children regarding gender toy preferences or gender awareness, but teachers saw gender-segregating girls as more socially sensitive. (SLD)

Tests the ability of 43 children, ranging in age from 20 months to 40 months, to discriminate between pictures of boys and girls and male and female adults. Compares children who passed this gender-task with those who failed it on three behaviors most often categorized as sex-typed: toy choice, aggression, and peer playmate selection. (HOD)

Observed play of 52 toddlers with a set of socially stereotyped masculine, feminine, and neutral toys in a day care setting over 14 months to (1) determine the age at which toddlers consistently exhibit sex-stereotyped toy choices in a natural setting and (2) investigate relation of parents' expectations and the children's own knowledge of gender…

The major shaping influences detailed in this article are parental attitudes and the commercial channel of nonchoice in toys and books as they affect the development of sex identification. (Author/CB)

Seventeen sets of opposite sex twins, 13 to 14 months old, were observed in a playroom situation with their mothers. Attachment behaviors, toy preference, style of play, and activity level were recorded. Analysis of four attachment behaviors indicated that girls looked at, vocalized to, and maintained proximity with their mothers significantly…

A study was conducted of children's expression of social as well as spatial relations in their placement of dolls. The study was designed to determine how both face contact and physical distance varied according to the social relationship ascribed to the dolls. It was hoped to find out, through this, whether' children's working definitions of…

This study examines the degree to which young children are influenced by the familiarity of an adult participant in their pretend play with toys which vary in resemblance to highly prototypical objects (e.g., cup-like cups or doll-like dolls). A group of 29 children, mean age 21 months, was divided into two experimental groups balanced by sex; 15…

This study examines the influence of maternal predispositions toward sex-appropriate behavior and the mother's response to "feminine" or "masculine" cues in infant behavior. In the investigation, one 6-month-old male infant was presented to 11 mothers who served as subjects. The infant was dressed as either boy (blue clothes) and named Adam, or…

Examines interaction and gender role socialization for 20 parent-child dyads in intact families. Play patterns of parents and children were not typically gender stereotyped. Results suggest a change in parents' perceptions about what is acceptable gender-typing behavior, possibly reflecting a realization that some toys are more socially acceptable…