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Sex role stereotypes: developmental aspects and early intervention
Child Development
|December 1, 1976
Summary
Introducing egalitarian role models in stories and films can reduce children's sex role stereotypes. This intervention is more effective for 5-year-olds and females, with film models yielding longer-lasting attitude changes than books.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Media Psychology
Background:
- Sex role stereotypes are evident in children as young as 3 years old.
- Stereotype acquisition continues between ages 3 and 4.
- Males tend to display more stereotyped responses than females.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of symbolic modeling stimuli in altering children's sex role stereotypes.
- To determine the developmental trajectory of sex role stereotype acquisition.
- To compare the impact of different media formats (picture books vs. films) on attitude change.
Main Methods:
- 122 children participated in two experiments.
- Exposure to illustrated stories and films featuring egalitarian sex role models.
- Assessment of stereotypic thinking and attitude changes before and after interventions.
Main Results:
- Egalitarian symbolic models significantly reduced stereotypic thinking in children.
- Intervention effects varied by age and gender, with 5-year-olds and females showing greater improvement.
- Film presentations of egalitarian models led to more enduring attitude change than picture books.
Conclusions:
- Symbolic modeling, particularly through film, is a viable method for challenging and modifying children's sex role stereotypes.
- The effectiveness of interventions is influenced by child's age and gender.
- Early intervention during critical developmental periods can foster more equitable attitudes.