PSYC 367/WmSt 366:  Gender Issues in Psychology

Spring 2004            Virginia Norris, Ph.D.

All dates are subject to change.  Announcements in class supersede internet material.

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Project 6
DUE MARCH 18, 2004

Cognitive Skills Learning History

In this chapter, the various skills that comprise the category of cognitive ability were discussed. In addition, evidence of sex and gender differences was reviewed. How do you perceive your own cognitive skills? What are your strengths and weaknesses in terms of specific cognitive skills?  Are your cognitive skills consistent with evidence of sex and gender differences?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Using the table on the next page, reflect on your childhood and adolescent experiences that contributed to learning and developing cognitive skills. Note your favorite and/or most frequency experienced toys, activities, hobbies, responsibilities and think about the specific cognitive skills they exercised. Consult with your parents or caretakers regarding your early experiences.

The following reference may be helpful in determining the cognitive skills exercised by specific toys or activities:

Tracy, D.M. (1990). Toy-playing behavior, sex-role orientation, spatial ability, and science achievement. Journal of research in science teaching, 27(7), 637-649.

Tracy (1989) developed the Tracy Toy and Play Inventory (TTPI) which assesses experience with toys related to specific cognitive abilities (spatial abilities and science skills). The following are the cognitive categories and example toys comprising the TTPI (Tracy, 1990, 640-1). Use these to guide your self-analysis:
 
 
 

Cognitive Skill Category
Toys
Two-dimensional representations or manipulations or reality  Puzzles, Spirograph, stickers
Three-dimensional manipulations of pieces Lego blocks, Erector sets, Playdoh, model cars
Manipulate an object (or estimate its movement) so it hits a target object  video games, ping pong, sports equipment of various kinds
Gross-body movements Ice or roller skates, sled, bicycle
Place in proportional arrangements or orientations with other objects Electric train set, zoo or farm set, toy cars and track, dollhouse
Science activities Microscopes, chemistry set, Rockets

 
 
 
Record your personal cognitive skills learning history below:
 
Favorite/frequently experience toys, activities, responsibilities
Cognitive skills
Preschool
 
 
 

 

    
Elementary school
 
 
 

 

    
Middle/Junior high school
 
 
 

 

    
High school
 
 
 

 

    

Reflect also on activities in which you were not allowed to participate that may have limited your learning of specific cognitive skills.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

How does your cognitive skills learning history relate to your current abilities and your perceptions of your abilities?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Does your history reveal anything about the connection between cognitive abilities and gender socialization?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Paul, E. L. & Johnson, E. R. (1998). Instructor'sManualand Test Bank. D. Ansalmi & A. Law, The Question Of Gender: Perspectives and Paradoxes. NY: The
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