Children’s Perceptions of Mechanical Knowledge as a Function of Gender

This study examined children’s perceptions of the mechanical knowledge of others as a function of gender. Children ages 3-8 watched videos of male and female informants fixing toys in one of two conditions: either the boy and the girl both succeeded at fixing the toys, or the girl succeeded and the boy failed. The children then answered questions about the informants ’ abilities to fix other toys. An omnibus ANOVA failed to yield any significant effects of the sex of the informant, though there was a significant effect of condition across age groups and a significant effect of age in the Sally Fixer condition. There is some evidence that nonconformity with gender stereotypes influences children’s opinions on informants ’ play abilities. Further research is needed on the development of children’s gender stereotypes, given that children do express gender biases in other contexts