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Article
Gender and Developmental Differences in Children's Conversations
Sex Roles: A Journal of Research
  • Ann Berhout Austin, Utah State University
  • Mahshid Salehi
  • Ann Leffler
Document Type
Article
Publisher
Springer
Publication Date
1-1-1987
Disciplines
Abstract

Extending work on childhood gender differences by J. Block (“Assimilation, Accommodation and the Dynamics of Personality Development,” Child Development, 1982, 53, 281–295) and J. H. Block (“Differential Premises Arising from Differential Socialization of the Sexes: Some Conjunctures,” Child Development, 1983, 54, 1335–1354), the present research investigated assimilative and accommodative discourse devices in the speech of 24 preschool children (12 boys and 12 girls) and 24 middle-childhood youngsters (12 boys and 12 girls) in each of grades 3 and 6. Boys' discourse, regardless of age, contained more accommodative devices. Girls' discourse, regardless of age, contained more assimilative devices. Age effects were apparent; older children, regardless of gender, used more discourse devices of both kinds than younger children.

Citation Information
Gender and Developmental Differences in Children's Conversations. Ann M. Berghout Austin, Mahshid Salehi, and Ann Leffler, Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 1987, 16 (9-10), 497-510.