Modifications and influences of tactual preferences for shape and texture

The effects of pretraining on tactual preferences for shape and texture and the effects of the preferences on discrimination learning were investigated in three experiments using kindergarten and third grade children. The pretraining experience significantly affected the dimensional preferences in both age groups, while an unexpected significant sex difference indicated a stronger texture preference in girls. Children tended to learn faster when the dimension they preferred was relevant to the task, but girls were affected more strongly than boys. In all experiments, the girls' behavior closely resembled that predicted for younger children.