title: Preferences for Pink and Blue: The Development of Color Preferences as a Distinct Gender-Typed Behavior in Toddlers.
abstract: Many gender differences are thought to result from interactions between inborn factors and sociocognitive processes that occur after birth. There is controversy, however, over the causes of gender-typed preferences for the colors pink and blue, with some viewing these preferences as arising solely from sociocognitive processes of gender development. We evaluated preferences for gender-typed colors, and compared them to gender-typed toy and activity preferences in 126 toddlers on two occasions separated by 6-8 months (at Time 1, M = 29 months; range 20-40). Color preferences were assessed using color cards and neutral toys in gender-typed colors. Gender-typed toy and activity preferences were assessed using a parent-report questionnaire, the Preschool Activities Inventory. Color preferences were also assessed for the toddlers' parents using color cards. A gender difference in color preferences was present between 2 and 3 years of age and strengthened near the third birthday, at which time it was large (d > 1). In contrast to their parents, toddlers' gender-typed color preferences were stronger and unstable. Gender-typed color preferences also appeared to establish later and were less stable than gender-typed toy and activity preferences. Gender-typed color preferences were largely uncorrelated with gender-typed toy and activity preferences. These results suggest that the factors influencing gender-typed color preferences and gender-typed toy and activity preferences differ in some respects. Our findings suggest that sociocognitive influences and play with gender-typed toys that happen to be made in gender-typed colors contribute to toddlers' gender-typed color preferences.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, iwwong@hku.hk.
authors: Wang I
authors: WI
authors: Wong
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Hines
mesh_terms: D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003116:Color; D003118:Color Perception; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012951:Socialization