Sex, Age, and State as Determinants of Mother-Infant Interaction

Moss, Howard A.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-006882-4.50018-9

Cited by 209 publications

(184 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…When child characteristics are included, gender differences in maternal behavior are reduced. For instance, Moss (1967) found that mothers of three-weekold infants were observed to hold, look at, arouse, and stimulate physically sons more than daughters; however, sons were more irritable and when infant irritability was covaried in the analyses differences in holding and looking dropped out. Some researchers (e.g., Donovan et al 2007) have attempted to remove child-temperament effects by developing experiments in which adults respond to a stranger infant (or photographs), but these studies have the weakness of measuring parental behavior in a nonnatural situation in which they are struggling to read the (often ambiguous) signals of an unknown child and, hence, are in a situation in which they would be expected to be most guided by expectations and stereotypes rather than by meaningful child cues.…”

Section: The Role Of Biological Sex Differencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Early Development of Gender Differences

McIntyre

Edwards

2009

Annu. Rev. Anthropol.

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This article reviews findings from anthropology, psychology, and other disciplines about the role of biological factors in the development of sex differences in human behavior, including biological theories, the developmental course of sex differences, and the interaction of biological and cultural gendering processes at different ages. Current evidence suggests that major biological influences on individual differences in human gender, to the extent that they exist, operate primarily in early development, during and especially prior to puberty. Biological effects are likely to be mediated by relatively simple processes, like temperament, which are then elaborated through social interactions (as with mother and peers) into more complex gendered features of adult personality. Biological anthropologists and psychologists interested in gender should direct more attention to understanding how social processes influence the development and function of the reproductive endocrine system.

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Section: The Role Of Biological Sex Differencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Early Development of Gender Differences

McIntyre

Edwards

2009

Annu. Rev. Anthropol.

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“…Evidence that parents-at least mothers-tend to treat male and female offspring differently comes from studies of humans (Kagan & Freeman, 1970;Lewis, 1972;Moss, 1967;Todd & Palmer, 1968) and several nonhuman species (Bixler, 1980;Jensen, 1969;Meier & Schutzman, 1968;Mitchell, 1968). In all cases, mothers tend to be more punitive toward, and less protective of, their male infants than their female infants.…”

Section: Homosexuals Should Have Higher Frequencies Of Other Sexualmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurohormonal functioning and sexual orientation: A theory of homosexuality–heterosexuality.

Ellis

Ames²

1987

Psychological Bulletin

284

143

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Following a historical sketch of attempts to explain homosexuality, we review evidence indicating that the process of determining human sexual orientation is fundamentally the same in all mammals. In this process, four phenotypic dimensions of sexuality develop from two more or less distinct sex genotypes. Studies are reviewed that indicate how phenotypic deviations from these two genotypes (called sexual inversions) can occur. The causes of sexual inversions are categorized as genetic-hormonal, pharmacological, maternal stress, immunological, and social experiential. From this evidence, we propose a theory of how the entire spectrum of human sexual orientation (vs. simply homosexuality) is determined.A consistent preference for sexual relations with one's own sex (homosexuality), the opposite sex (heterosexuality), or vary-

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“…Maternal behavioral differences have also been observed in studies of mother-infant dyads. Moss (Moss, 1967;Moss, Pederson & Robson, 1969) reported significant differences in maternal behavior toward three-month-old infants as a function of infant sex. Lewis has also reported similar findings (Lewis, 1972;Lewis & Freedle, 1973).…”

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confidence: 99%

Attachment Behavior in Thirteen‐month‐old, Opposite Sex Twins

Brooks

Lewis

1973

ETS Research Bulletin Series

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Seventeen sets of opposite sex twins, 13 to 14 months old, were observed in a playroom situation with their mothers. Attachment behaviors, toy preference, style of play, and activity level were recorded. Analysis of four attachment behaviors indicated that girls looked at, vocalized to, and maintained proximity with their mothers significantly more often than did their brothers. Girls also touched their mothers more often, although this difference was not significant. The style of play and activity level measures revealed no sex differences. In terms of specific toy preferences, girls tended to play with the cat and dog more, while boys tended to play more with the pull toy. No other differences in toy preference were found. The effects of social class, activity level, and separation from the mother on infant attachment behavior are discussed. The importance of the mother as a socializing and sex‐typing agent is stressed.

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Sex, Age, and State as Determinants of Mother-Infant Interaction

Cited by 209 publications

References 13 publications

The Early Development of Gender Differences

The Early Development of Gender Differences

Neurohormonal functioning and sexual orientation: A theory of homosexuality–heterosexuality.

Attachment Behavior in Thirteen‐month‐old, Opposite Sex Twins

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