The Emergence of Gender Segregation: Towards an Integrative Perspective
Abstract
Most of the previous research on the emergence of gender segregation has tested the assumptions of either cognitive or behavioural compatibility theories. The present review of recent reports reveals that these two theories are not mutually exclusive. They are now closer to each other as both recognize gender segregation as group process, after primarily emphasizing individual differences. Moreover, they converge on the topic of similarity-attraction, the cognitive approach focusing on expected similarity and the behavioural compatibility approach focusing on experienced similarity. Therefore, if gender segregation relates to children's preferences to play with others who share their interests or interactive styles, simply expecting same-sex children to share interests may also affect their motivation to affiliate with same-sex playmates. The challenge of an integrative perspective is all the more important because gender segregation is a particularly promising topic for integrating and synthesizing multiple approaches to gender development.