Children’s Gender Mapping of STEM Linked Toys: The Role of Color Information in Supporting Counter-Stereotypic Responding

Presenter

Samantha Baldacci

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Jennifer McDermott, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 5, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A88, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 5 (A81-A100) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Toys that utilize spatial skills, like Legos, provide children with important experiences relevant to STEM fields. However, these toys are often stereotyped as being “for boys”', thus it is important to examine what factors might reduce this association. Previous research shows that perceptual factors, such as color, can impact stereotyped responding, however, less is known about this process developmentally. Our on-going study (current n=50) assesses whether toy color manipulation impacts stereotypic responding in younger versus older children. During a Zoom testing session, children are given a set of trials in which they choose one of two toys (stereotypically masculine vs. feminine) to give to a hypothetical child. Prior to responding, children are told the hypothetical child’s gender and their counter-stereotypical interest. Toy pairs are presented in one of three color categories: masculine (e.g., blue), feminine (e.g., pink), and neutral (e.g., yellow). For data analysis, we will utilize a repeated-measures ANOVA with participant gender (male or female) and age (younger vs. older) as between subjects factors and color condition (masculine, feminine, or neutral) as a within-subjects factor. A reduction in stereotypic responses is predicted for neutral-colored toys, however, older children are predicted to have lower stereotypic endorsement on trials with feminine- or masculine-colored toys compared to younger children. This study will improve understanding of how perceptual information impacts stereotypic responding in children and may inform intervention efforts to broaden engagement with STEM relevant toys.

Keywords

gender stereotpying, STEM, counterstereotype , gender mapping of STEM linked toys

Research Area

Psychology and Behavioral Sciences

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