AP®PsychologyCollege BoardExam QuestionsDevelopment & LearningGender & Sexual Orientation

Gender & Sexual Orientation (College Board AP® Psychology): Exam Questions

2 mins2 questions
1
1 mark

A developmental psychologist observes that a five-year-old girl refuses to play with toy trucks, saying "trucks are for boys." When asked why, she explains that boys and girls are supposed to like different things.

Which of the following best explains the child's reasoning?

  • The child is experiencing confusion about her gender identity

  • The child has developed gender schemas that guide her understanding of gender-appropriate behavior

  • The child is displaying psychological androgyny by rejecting masculine toys

  • Biological sex differences in hormone levels are driving the child's toy preferences

Choose your answer

2
1 mark

Research shows that parents in many cultures tend to give dolls and kitchen sets to girls and construction toys and vehicles to boys.

According to social learning theory, which of the following best explains how these practices contribute to gender development?

  • Children learn gender roles through reinforcement and modelling provided by parents and society

  • Children develop gender-typed behavior only after achieving gender constancy

  • Gender-typed toy preferences are driven primarily by biological maturation

  • Children identify with the same-sex parent during the phallic stage, adopting their toy preferences

Choose your answer