Effects of game type on children's gender-based peer preferences: A naturalistic observational study

Citation
Cj. Boyatzis et al., Effects of game type on children's gender-based peer preferences: A naturalistic observational study, SEX ROLES, 40(1-2), 1999, pp. 93-105
Citations number
40
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology
Journal title
SEX ROLES
ISSN journal
03600025 → ACNP
Volume
40
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
1999
Pages
93 - 105
Database
ISI
SICI code
0360-0025(199901)40:1-2<93:EOGTOC>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
Children's propensity for interacting with peers of their own gender is a r obust phenomenon, evident across many contexts. This study investigated how children's gender-based peer preferences varied as a function of a context ual variable-type of children's game. Using naturalistic observations, 242 first- to third-graders (identical numbers of boys and girls, mostly White and middle-class) were observed playing two games that varied in their phys icality and competitiveness; games were structured to have equal numbers of boys and girls available as playmates. As predicted, boys and girls intera cted significantly more with same-sec: than other-sex peers. Our prediction of a game-type effect was partially supported: in the more competitive and physical game, boys chose same-sex playmates significantly more often than in the less competitive/physical game, but girls' same-sex peer preference did not vary across the games. The findings provide further support for th e necessity of investigating social context as an influence on children's o wn-sex favoritism.