The influence of sex-differentiated toy usage on spatial aptitude performance.

摘要

The effects of toy usage and preferences on performance on the Mental Rotations Test (MRT) were examined. Individual correlations with MRT score were observed for many toys. Toys commonly stereotyped as "feminine" (Barbie, toy appliances) were negatively correlated with MRT score, while "masculine" toys (cars, tools) were positively correlated. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the usage of guns and dolls were better predictors of MRT score than gender. This may support previous evidence that subjects (of both sexes) that have masculine self-images or prefer masculine sex roles perform better on spatial tasks than subjects who prefer feminine roles.