Knowing why humans act the way they do is a complex and debatable subject. Nature versus nurture is a controversial debate were scientists try to explain why children interact with one another and different objects the way they do. It seems that these two forces combine and work together to form human traits. Nature, refers to all genes and heredity that makes up our physical appearance and personality characteristics. Nurture, refers to all of the environment variables, how children are raised, social relationships, and the surrounding culture (Cherry 1). Nativist psychologists tend to stress the importance of genetics. On the other hand, empiricists, focus on the impact that society and the environment has on child behavior (McLeod 1).
Nativist …show more content…
In the preoperational stage, females show more social interaction than males. Females played with dolls in parallel play (playing beside but not amongst). Meanwhile, males played with cars or superheroes alone and usually did not socialize with other kids. As the kids started to enter the operational stage, they played with boys and girls. Occasionally, with the same toys and games (Barbu, Cabanes, and Le Maner-Idrissi 2-3).
The differences in toy preference caused the nature versus nurture debate to arise. Society treats children differently forming the male and female stereotype (Do boys 1). Gender preferences for toys only appear after children learn about their gender. Babies do not show preferences when it comes to this matter (Oksman 2). It seems as though adults and marketing unconsciously select the type of toy each gender should play with.
For example, studies of young children have shown that boys are no more likely than girls to enjoy playing with a toy truck, a toy traditionally given to boys. The preoperational stage when it comes to gender is crucial to children. Once they see divided aisles with re-enforced gender cues such as blue and pink toys, they pay closer attention. They also seek cues from other children. In another experiment, girls were shown other girls playing with trucks. These girls were more likely to play with the truck and see it as a “girl's …show more content…
This observation was made by the psychologist D.B Carter in 1987. This occurred when a boy was playing with a toy racing car until the racer's helmet fell off. When the boy saw that it was a female with blonde hair, he dropped the car like a “hot potato”. Not only does gender labeling impact the toys children like, it impacts the way they play with toys. A study where a group of children were shown a toy that they had never seen before (a clown with its mouth open where discs were thrown in) shows proof of this. Half of the kids were told that it was a boy’s game, while the other half was told it was a girl’s game. The results showed boys performed well because they believed the game was for boys and likewise, with the girls. This proves that the label of gender matters more than the toy (Dahl
Nativist …show more content…
In the preoperational stage, females show more social interaction than males. Females played with dolls in parallel play (playing beside but not amongst). Meanwhile, males played with cars or superheroes alone and usually did not socialize with other kids. As the kids started to enter the operational stage, they played with boys and girls. Occasionally, with the same toys and games (Barbu, Cabanes, and Le Maner-Idrissi 2-3).
The differences in toy preference caused the nature versus nurture debate to arise. Society treats children differently forming the male and female stereotype (Do boys 1). Gender preferences for toys only appear after children learn about their gender. Babies do not show preferences when it comes to this matter (Oksman 2). It seems as though adults and marketing unconsciously select the type of toy each gender should play with.
For example, studies of young children have shown that boys are no more likely than girls to enjoy playing with a toy truck, a toy traditionally given to boys. The preoperational stage when it comes to gender is crucial to children. Once they see divided aisles with re-enforced gender cues such as blue and pink toys, they pay closer attention. They also seek cues from other children. In another experiment, girls were shown other girls playing with trucks. These girls were more likely to play with the truck and see it as a “girl's …show more content…
This observation was made by the psychologist D.B Carter in 1987. This occurred when a boy was playing with a toy racing car until the racer's helmet fell off. When the boy saw that it was a female with blonde hair, he dropped the car like a “hot potato”. Not only does gender labeling impact the toys children like, it impacts the way they play with toys. A study where a group of children were shown a toy that they had never seen before (a clown with its mouth open where discs were thrown in) shows proof of this. Half of the kids were told that it was a boy’s game, while the other half was told it was a girl’s game. The results showed boys performed well because they believed the game was for boys and likewise, with the girls. This proves that the label of gender matters more than the toy (Dahl