Hormone transfer theory predicts that opposite-sex twins will be affec
ted in utero by the hormones their twins produce. This study examines
the prediction that opposite-sex dizygotic twins should show less ster
eotyped toy play than same-sex dizygotic twins should show less stereo
typed toy play than same-sex dizygotic twins as a result of exposure t
o opposite-sex hormones in utero. Participants in this study included
32 male-female dizygotic twin pairs, 27 female-female pairs, and 24 ma
le-male pairs. All ranged in age from 7 to 12 years and were primarily
Caucasian and middle class. Differences in the amount of time childre
n played with feminine, masculine, and neutral stereotyped toys during
free play were examined. Results did not support hormone transfer the
ory. Girls played with feminine toys more than boys and boys played wi
th masculine toys more than girls, but there were no significant diffe
rences between children with opposite- vs. same-sex twins.