The Relation of Preschoolers' Peer Interaction to Their Sex-Typed Toy Choices

Abstract

EISENBERG, NANCY; TRYON, KELLY; and CAMERON, ELLEN. The Relation of Preschoolers' Peer Interaction to Their Sex-typed Toy Choices. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1984, 55, 1044-1050. The purpose of the present research was to examine the processes that might influence the degree of association between preschoolers' sex-role stereotypic toy choices and their choice of same-sex versus opposite-sex playmates. 51 children in preschool classes for 4-year-olds were observed during free play over 9 weeks. Variables relating to peer interaction were coded both immediately prior to toy play (who possessed a toy when a child approached it, who a child was with immediately before approaching a toy, who initiated movement toward a toy) and during play (who a child interacted with, and who initiated the interaction). There was a moderate negative relation between opposite-sex peer interaction and preference for same-sex toy play. Sex of playmate prior to contact with a toy was unrelated to the sex-typing of subsequent toy use. Moreover (especially for boys), there was a match between peer interaction during play and the sex-typing of the ongoing toy play. Possible explanations for the pattern of data are discussed.

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