Sex roles in games.

Abstract

This study investigates the reality of traditional sex role definitions in a game setting. Levels of verbal and nonverbal communication were varied as well as the sex of the partner. There was no difference between males and females in cooperative behavior when no verbal communication was allowed. With verbal communication allowed, there was no difference between males and females interacting in same sex pairs. However, the traditional patterns did appear when subjects were allowed verbal communication with a partner of the opposite sex. This appearance of sex difference only in mixed sex interaction seems to imply a cross-sex reinforcement of traditional role patterns.