2044-835X/asset/olbannerleft.png?v=1&s=e59189c067e4fb0c3e89b6c3d4a6faa835b77e11)
2044-835X/asset/olbannerright.png?v=1&s=a2c93323f8d49c2bee39e7e41003bf6660dc2984)
The social representation of gender and young children's play
Article first published online: 12 JUL 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.2044-835X.1985.tb00956.x
1985 The British Psychological Society
2044-835X/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=8331a6a4fbb96bade6705f76db01b28d1ed4185b "British Journal of Developmental Psychology")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Lloyd, B. and Smith, C. (1985), The social representation of gender and young children's play. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 3: 65–73. doi: 10.1111/j.2044-835X.1985.tb00956.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 12 JUL 2011
- Article first published online: 12 JUL 2011
- Received 3 March 1983; revised version received 27 September 1984
- Abstract
- Cited By
Toy choice and vigorous play with toys were observed in 60 pairs of children aged 19 to 42 months playing with gender stereotyped toys, first with their mothers and then with a familiar same or opposite gender peer. Choice of opposite gender toys was greater in the action play of mixed pairs. In pretend play, only girls in the oldest age group chose girls' toys more frequently and used opposite gender toys less in mixed pairs. Boys engaged in significantly more vigorous play with toys but the difference between the play of boys and girls was not statistically significant in the peer condition. The ability of girls to access social representations of gender was invoked to account for their more mature, gender differentiated behaviour.