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Gender-typed play and amniotic testosterone

Rebecca Christine Knickmeyer1, Sally Wheelwright, Kevin Taylor

  • 1Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. rk250@cam.ac.uk

Developmental Psychology
|May 25, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal testosterone exposure did not correlate with gender-typed play in children. This study investigated amniotic testosterone (aT) levels and their relationship with game participation in young humans.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Behavioral Endocrinology
  • Human Biology

Background:

  • Sex differences in play behavior are observed across mammalian species, including humans.
  • Prenatal hormone exposure, specifically testosterone, is hypothesized to influence these sex-differentiated play patterns.
  • Previous research suggests a potential link between prenatal testosterone and gender-typed behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between prenatal testosterone levels and gender-typed play in a human sample.
  • To determine if amniotic testosterone (aT) measurements correlate with specific play behaviors in children.
  • To explore potential biological underpinnings of sex differences in childhood play.

Main Methods:

  • Amniotic fluid samples were collected from 53 children (31 boys, 22 girls) to measure testosterone levels.
  • Children's gender-typed play was assessed using a modified Child Game Participation Questionnaire.
  • Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression and within-sex correlations.

Main Results:

  • A significant sex difference was found in amniotic testosterone (aT) levels.
  • No significant correlation was found between aT levels and individual differences in game participation.
  • This finding held true for the entire group and within separate analyses for boys and girls.

Conclusions:

  • Variations in prenatal testosterone (aT) do not appear to be a significant factor in explaining individual differences in gender-typed play in humans.
  • The study provides a critique of existing explanations for sex differences in play behavior.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the complex factors influencing sex-differentiated play.

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