Explaining sex differences in infants’ preferences for groups

Benenson, Joyce F.; Markovits, Henry; Müller, Ingrid; Challen, Andrew; Carder, Hassina P.

doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2007.03.010

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…To date, no studies have examined if the extreme male cognitive pattern and the lack of gender differences in systemising-empathising dimensions extend to other sexually dimorphic traits, such as gender role and sexuality in individuals with ASD. Clinical experience, however, suggests that masculinity, expressed as male typical territorial or sexual behaviour [19], [20], is attenuated in ASD of both sexes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Sexuality and Gender Role in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Control Study

Bejerot

Eriksson

2014

PLoS ONE

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The ‘extreme male brain theory of autism’ describes an extreme male pattern of cognitive traits defined as strong systemising abilities paired with empathising weaknesses in autism spectrum disorder. However, beyond these cognitive traits, clinical observations have suggested an ambiguous gender-typed pattern regarding several sexually dimorphic traits.The aim of the present study was to investigate if patterns of non-cognitive sexually dimorphic traits differed between the autism spectrum disorder and control groups. Fifty adults with autism spectrum disorder and intelligence within the normal range, and 53 neurotypical controls responded to questions on gender role, self-perceived gender typicality and gender identity, as well as sexuality. Measures used were a Swedish modification of the Bem Sex Role Inventory and questions on sexuality and gender designed for the purpose of this study. Our results showed that one common gender role emerged in the autism spectrum disorder group. Masculinity (e.g. assertiveness, leadership and competitiveness) was weaker in the autism spectrum disorder group than in the controls, across men and women. Self-perceived gender typicality did not differ between the groups but tomboyism and bisexuality were overrepresented amongst women with autism spectrum disorder. Lower libido was reported amongst both male and female participants with autism spectrum disorder compared with controls. We conclude that the extreme male patterns of cognitive functions in the autistic brain do not seem to extend to gender role and sexuality. A gender-atypical pattern for these types of characteristics is suggested in autism spectrum disorder.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Sexuality and Gender Role in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Control Study

Bejerot

Eriksson

2014

PLoS ONE

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“…Cross-cultural evidence demonstrates that in humans, from early childhood through adulthood, males interact in larger groups, whereas females form dyadic relationships or small cliques (Belle 1989;Cairns et al 1998;Fine 1980;Freedman 1974;Savin-Williams 1980;Schlegel and Barry 1991;Tiger 1969). Studies of infants (Benenson et al 2004(Benenson et al , 2007 and of cognitive models in early childhood through adulthood (Markovits et al 2001(Markovits et al , 2006 suggest a genetic basis for sex-differentiated patterns of social structure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Sexual Differences in the Use of Social Ostracism as a Competitive Tactic

et al. 2008

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An aspect of social systems that is similar between chimpanzees and humans is that males form larger groups than females do. Both chimpanzee and human studies suggest that large groups are costlier for females than for males, so females attempt to reduce group size. Social ostracism of female group members occurs in both species and may serve as a mechanism for group size reduction. We formed groups of female and male children to examine directly whether human females would be more likely than males to employ social ostracism. We asked 7 female and 7 male groups of 10-yr-old children to compose and perform a play about a topic of interest to them. Female groups engaged in social ostracism more than male groups did. Further, within female groups, cortisol levels remained higher for female perpetrators of social ostracism than for their victims, suggesting that social ostracism is costly. In contrast, more frequent 1:1 conflictual behavior occurred in male than in female groups, but cortisol was unrelated to frequencies of 1:1 conflicts. Our results support the theory that human females find groups aversive and seek to reduce their size via social ostracism. Coalitions minimize the risk of retaliation but may induce costs.

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“…For example, a study of mother–infant interaction (i.e., face‐to‐face still‐face paradigm) in 6‐month‐old infants reported that males, compared to females, displayed more positive expressions and vocalizations, spent more time in synchronous interactions, and looked longer toward their mothers; in contrast, females spent more time engaging with novel objects (Weinberg, Tronick, Cohn, & Olson, 1999). Another study reported that 6‐ to 8‐month‐old male infants looked longer at images of social groups than females, which suggests that males may be more attentive to social complexity (Benenson, Markovits, Muller, Challen, & Carder, 2007). In sum, these studies challenge the assumption that females consistently show advantages in social interest and sensitivity and highlight the need for further research on sex differences in early infancy, when social skills are swiftly emerging.…”

Section: Modified Visual Search Paradigm Citation Ages (N) Target Type Color Trials/(# Images In Array) Trial Duration Attention Capture mentioning

confidence: 99%

Superior Detection of Faces in Male Infants at 2 Months

et al. 2021

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Females generally attend more to social information than males; however, little is known about the early development of these sex differences. With eye tracking, 2‐month olds’ (N = 101; 44 females) social orienting to faces was measured within four‐item image arrays. Infants were more likely to detect human faces compared to objects, suggesting a functional face detection system. Unexpectedly, males looked longer at human faces than females, and only males looked faster and longer at human faces compared to objects. Females, in contrast, looked less at human faces relative to animal faces and objects, appearing socially disinterested. Notably, this is the first report of a male face detection advantage at any age. These findings suggest a unique stage in early infant social development.

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Explaining sex differences in infants’ preferences for groups

Cited by 13 publications

References 18 publications

Sexuality and Gender Role in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Control Study

Sexuality and Gender Role in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Control Study

Human Sexual Differences in the Use of Social Ostracism as a Competitive Tactic

Superior Detection of Faces in Male Infants at 2 Months

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