Hassett et. al

Aims:

  • Psychologists aimed to investigate whether male and female rhesus monkeys showed different preferences for certain types of type, the same way male and female children do.

  • The MAIN aim of the study is to investigate whether rhesus monkeys exhibit gender-specific preference for human stereotyped '“masculine” and “feminine” toys.

Background:

  • Investigation to discern the origins of gender related toy choices.

  • Societal norms influence toy choices and how these work to conform to gender roles.

Methods:

  • Subjects & Sampling Technique-

    • Study involved 135 rhesus monkeys (Macaca Mulatta)

    • They lived in a multi male and female social structure at the Yerkes National primate Research Center Field Station

    • Have lived together for 25 years

    • 14 monkeys were excluded due to prior hormonal treatment

    • 39 newborns were not coded because of identification issues

    • Potential subjects were 61 females and 21 males

    • Housed in a 25m x 25m outdoor enclosure

  • Materials

    • Two types of toys that were categorised by physical properties, ‘Wheeled’ & ‘Plush’

    • Wheeled category was masculine

    • Stuffed toys were feminine

  • Experimental Design & Controls-

    • Design with 25 minute trials

    • Before each trial, they were sequestered indoors and one toy of each, both wheeled and plushed, was placed 10 meters apart outdoors.

    • Monkeys were then released, these interactions were videotaped.

  • Data Collection:

    • All interactions were recorded and behaviors shown were coded

    • Social rank and age of the monkeys were also included as variables for analysis

    • Data was entered into Palm Pilots equipped with Handobs (two observers ensured consistency when coding behaviors)

  • Variables:

    • Measured variables- Interactions with toys, specific behaviors, social rank, and age.

    • Manipulated variables- Type and placement of toys

  • Data Analysis:

    • Raw frequencies and durations of behaviors were used

    • 23 females and 11 males for analysis

  • Ethical Considerations:

    • Primarily an observational study that did not involve experiments

    • Followed the guidelines by the NIH

  • Quantitative Findings:

    • Interaction between toy type and sex - The king of toy, either plushed of wheeled, interacted differently with the gender of the animal

    • Within sex comparison - Males showed a significance preference with wheeled toys over plushies while females showed no significant preference.

    • Between sex comparison - Both males and females did not differ significantly in their interactions with wheeled toys but males interacted less with the plush toys compared to females.

    • Duration of interaction - Similar patterns were observed when it came to the total time spent with each type of toy

    • Magnitude of preference - Males showed a significantly stronger preference for wheeled toys than females did for plush toys

  • Qualitative Findings:

    • Rank and toy preference - The study found that social rank did not have a significant impact of toy preference when it came to sex but had a positive correlation with females.

    • Age and toy preference - No significant differences were found regarding this.