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Stereotypes versus behavioral judgments of sex differences in young children

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Abstract

Parents and child care workers were asked to rate 30 preschool child behaviors according to the cultural stereotypes concerning sex-typed behavior and actual behavioral differences between boys and girls. Both agreed on cultural stereotypes, with males rating more behaviors stereotyped than females. The behavioral ratings and cultural stereotypes of parents showed more agreement than those of child care workers. Parents overestimated sex differences in behavior, while child care workers underestimated them.

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This study was supported by a grant from the Office of Scientific and Scholarly Research, Graduate School, University of Oregon.

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Fagot, B.I. Stereotypes versus behavioral judgments of sex differences in young children. Sex Roles 7, 1093–1096 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287586

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