Age, gender and birth order as predictors of gender bias in children's attitude to toys
Authors
Riordan, Brian
Issue Date
2014
Degree
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The current study investigates if there is a relationship between gender bias relating to toys and the age, gender or birth order of a convenience sample of Irish National School Children. Seventy children from 3 age cohorts, Senor Infants (5-6 year olds), Second Class (7-8 year olds) and Fourth Class (9-10 year olds) participated in a cross-sectional, quasi-experiment viewing toy images and expressing preference. The data collected was analysed in order to determine if gender bias was significantly different. No significant difference was demonstrated in relation to the gender of elder siblings. However the age cohort and gender analysis revealed significant difference pointing to an attitudinal flexibility in girls between age cohorts when compared to the more rigid nature of boy’s attitudes.