Children's perception of gender-role-congruent and -incongruent behavior in peers: Fisher-price meets price waterhouse

This study evaluated whether traditional gender-role stereotypes still pervade children's judgments of peers. One hundred seventy-three predominantly Caucasian, middle class boys and girls (ages 7 to 12) watched either a female or a male dyad discuss fundraising activities on videotape. In each dyad, one actor portrayed either masculine or feminine stereotyped behavior, whereas the other actor was neutral. Results indicated that performance judgments of a girl who behaves in a stereotypically masculine fashion are positive, but that personality ratings are more negative.