Alison Nash | SUNY: New Paltz (original) (raw)
Papers by Alison Nash
Dialectical Anthropology, 2014
ABSTRACT This paper provides an overview of historical and current standard scientific practices ... more ABSTRACT This paper provides an overview of historical and current standard scientific practices for investigating the evolution of behavior. I argue that Evolutionary Psychology (EP) ignores its historical precedents—ethology and the instinct critics—and while acknowledging current perspectives—epigenetics and developmental systems theories—does so only in terms of lip service. In particular, EP does not investigate the dynamic interplay between genes and context that is essential for understanding the development and evolution of behavior. Thus, EP does not conform to the rigorous standards of biology or psychology, is often unresponsive to methodological critiques, skirts theoretical controversies, and is disconnected from a large body of scholarship on issues surrounding the evolution of behavior.
To examine the influence of older siblings on the sex-typed toy play of younger siblings, a study... more To examine the influence of older siblings on the sex-typed toy play of younger siblings, a study was undertaken of 60 children, 2 to 5 years old, with equal numbers of boys and girls with older brothers, older sisters, and no older siblings. Children's toy collections were inventoried and classified into conventionally male toys, or toys of the world, such as transportation vehicles, sports equipment, and action figures, and conventionally female toys, or toys of the home, such as dolls and housekeeping toys. Parents were surveyed to determine children's favorite toys and the extent that toys were shared among siblings. Results of the study included the following: (1) toy collections were found to be strongly related. to gender, with boys playing with more toys of the world and girls with more toys of the home; (2) girls with older sisters had more girl-typed toys than other girls, and boys with older brothers had more boy-typed toys than other boys; (3) boys with older sis...
Abstract: In 2001 the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) declared that "th... more Abstract: In 2001 the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) declared that "the development and implementation of institutional policies that enable the healthy integration of work responsibilities with family life in academe requires renewed attention." In the current study, we explore the perceptions and experiences of faculty at a university system that does not have formal work/family policies. Our findings demonstrate that with no formal policy, academic and professional faculty are left confused (and often misguided) about what options are available for parental leave. Women now make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, a dramatic shift from a generation ago when only one-third of all workers were women (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009). Mothers are the primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners in nearly two-thirds of families in the U.S. (Boushey, 2009; Galinsky, Aumann & Bond, 2008) and 70% of families with children include a working mother (Gali...
The idea that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields stems from inherent sex diffe... more The idea that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields stems from inherent sex differences in scientific abilities has recently re-emerged. We critically examine the argument for biological differences in these abilities, focusing on two central claims: 1) There exist measurable sex differences in mathematical and scientific aptitude, and 2) biological predispositions underlie these differences. A review of the research reveals that findings of differences in math and science performance are not reliable and depend on the measures used. Furthermore, the key evidence for biological predispositions comes from poorly designed studies with equivocal findings. Therefore, our review indicates that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields cannot be explained by biological sex differences.
Adult influences on infant peer interaction were examined to determine whether infants would be m... more Adult influences on infant peer interaction were examined to determine whether infants would be more likely to sustain interaction with one another when their mothers were encouraging them to do so than they would when their mothers were busy with something else. A total of 36 infants, 14 months of age, were videotaped during 30-minute play sessions consisting of two previously unacquainted infants and their mothers. Observations were made under two conditions: when the mother was encouraging infant interaction and when she was busy filling out a questionnaire. Infants remained in proximity to their peer partners, interacted more frequently, spent more time interacting, and had longer interactions with one another when the adults were busy, than was the case in the condition of encouragement. Thus, on the whole, infants were better able to sustain interactions when adults ignored them than when they attempted to assist them. Most adult attempts to elicit peer interaction failed. Infants may be more "expert" than adults in interacting with other individuals who do not yet use language or other culturally appropriate means of interacting. Adults, however, may facilitate or inhibit infant peer interaction, depending on the strategy they use. It is concluded that assisting in toy placement and manipulation may be more helpful than giving advice or verbal instruction. (Author/RH)
This paper provides an overview of historical and current standard scientific practices for inves... more This paper provides an overview of historical and current standard scientific practices for investigating the evolution of behavior. I argue that Evolutionary Psychology (EP) ignores its historical precedents—ethology and the instinct critics—and while acknowledging current perspectives—epigenetics and developmental systems theories—does so only in terms of lip service. In particular, EP does not investigate the dynamic interplay between genes and context that is essential for understanding the development and evolution of behavior. Thus, EP does not conform to the rigorous standards of biology or psychology, is often unresponsive to methodological critiques, skirts theoretical controversies, and is disconnected from a large body of scholarship on issues surrounding the evolution of behavior.
Infant Behav Develop, 1996
The Different Faces of Motherhood, 1988
Journal of Interdisciplinary Feminist Thought, 2007
This study examined infants' reactions to new people by manipulating the social context in which ... more This study examined infants' reactions to new people by manipulating the social context in which infants became acquainted with new people. Infants (N=48) met someone new in the presence of another unfamiliar adult and their mothers. The new acquaintance either: (1) chatted and worked on a puzzle with the mother; (2) remained silent and worked on a puzzle with the unfamiliar adult; or (3) remained silent and worked on the puzzle alone. Mothers then left the infants alone with the new acquaintance. Infants who saw their mothers socialize with the new person interacted with that person more than did infants whose mothers did not socialize with the person. Infants in the social conditions appeared more comfortable than did infants in the silent condition. Infants in the silent condition remained closer to their mothers, played less with toys, and fussed more after their mothers left than did infants in the social conditions. A list of 14 references is included. (BC)
Wagadu a Journal of Transnational Women S and Gender Studies, Oct 1, 2011
The idea that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields stems from inherent sex diffe... more The idea that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields stems from inherent sex differences in scientific abilities has recently re-emerged. We critically examine the argument for biological differences in these abilities, focusing on two central claims: 1) There exist measurable sex differences in mathematical and scientific aptitude, and 2) biological predispositions underlie these differences. A review of the research reveals that findings of differences in math and science performance are not reliable and depend on the measures used. Furthermore, the key evidence for biological predispositions comes from poorly designed studies with equivocal findings. Therefore, our review indicates that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields cannot be explained by biological sex differences.
Adult influences on infant peer interaction were examined to determine whether infants would be m... more Adult influences on infant peer interaction were examined to determine whether infants would be more likely to sustain interaction with one another when their mothers were encouraging them to do so than they would when their mothers were busy with something else. A total of 36 infants, 14 months of age, were videotaped during 30-minute play sessions consisting of two previously unacquainted infants and their mothers. Observations were made under two conditions: when the mother was encouraging infant interaction and when she was busy filling out a questionnaire. Infants remained in proximity to their peer partners, interacted more frequently, spent more time interacting, and had longer interactions with one another when the adults were busy, than was the case in the condition of encouragement. Thus, on the whole, infants were better able to sustain interactions when adults ignored them than when they attempted to assist them. Most adult attempts to elicit peer interaction failed. Inf...
To examine the influence of older siblings on the sex-typed toy play of younger siblings, a study... more To examine the influence of older siblings on the sex-typed toy play of younger siblings, a study was undertaken of 60 children, 2 to 5 years old, with equal numbers of boys and girls with older brothers, older sisters, and no older siblings. Children's toy collections were inventoried and classified into conventionally male toys, or toys of the world, such as transportation vehicles, sports equipment, and action figures, and conventionally female toys, or toys of the home, such as dolls and housekeeping toys. Parents were surveyed to determine children's favorite toys and the extent that toys were shared among siblings. Results of the study included the following: (1) toy collections were found to be strongly related to gender, with boys playing with more toys of the world and girls with more toys of the home; (2) girls with older sisters had more girl-typed toys than other girls, and boys with older brothers had more boy-typed toys than other boys; (3) boys with older sist...
in this chapter we pose two questions: (1) how well established are the causal links between atta... more in this chapter we pose two questions: (1) how well established are the causal links between attachment security and peer competence and (2) is there an alternative formulation that could better explain the association between mother-child and peer relationships (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Dialectical Anthropology, 2014
Dialectical Anthropology, 2014
ABSTRACT This paper provides an overview of historical and current standard scientific practices ... more ABSTRACT This paper provides an overview of historical and current standard scientific practices for investigating the evolution of behavior. I argue that Evolutionary Psychology (EP) ignores its historical precedents—ethology and the instinct critics—and while acknowledging current perspectives—epigenetics and developmental systems theories—does so only in terms of lip service. In particular, EP does not investigate the dynamic interplay between genes and context that is essential for understanding the development and evolution of behavior. Thus, EP does not conform to the rigorous standards of biology or psychology, is often unresponsive to methodological critiques, skirts theoretical controversies, and is disconnected from a large body of scholarship on issues surrounding the evolution of behavior.
To examine the influence of older siblings on the sex-typed toy play of younger siblings, a study... more To examine the influence of older siblings on the sex-typed toy play of younger siblings, a study was undertaken of 60 children, 2 to 5 years old, with equal numbers of boys and girls with older brothers, older sisters, and no older siblings. Children's toy collections were inventoried and classified into conventionally male toys, or toys of the world, such as transportation vehicles, sports equipment, and action figures, and conventionally female toys, or toys of the home, such as dolls and housekeeping toys. Parents were surveyed to determine children's favorite toys and the extent that toys were shared among siblings. Results of the study included the following: (1) toy collections were found to be strongly related. to gender, with boys playing with more toys of the world and girls with more toys of the home; (2) girls with older sisters had more girl-typed toys than other girls, and boys with older brothers had more boy-typed toys than other boys; (3) boys with older sis...
Abstract: In 2001 the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) declared that "th... more Abstract: In 2001 the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) declared that "the development and implementation of institutional policies that enable the healthy integration of work responsibilities with family life in academe requires renewed attention." In the current study, we explore the perceptions and experiences of faculty at a university system that does not have formal work/family policies. Our findings demonstrate that with no formal policy, academic and professional faculty are left confused (and often misguided) about what options are available for parental leave. Women now make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, a dramatic shift from a generation ago when only one-third of all workers were women (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009). Mothers are the primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners in nearly two-thirds of families in the U.S. (Boushey, 2009; Galinsky, Aumann & Bond, 2008) and 70% of families with children include a working mother (Gali...
The idea that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields stems from inherent sex diffe... more The idea that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields stems from inherent sex differences in scientific abilities has recently re-emerged. We critically examine the argument for biological differences in these abilities, focusing on two central claims: 1) There exist measurable sex differences in mathematical and scientific aptitude, and 2) biological predispositions underlie these differences. A review of the research reveals that findings of differences in math and science performance are not reliable and depend on the measures used. Furthermore, the key evidence for biological predispositions comes from poorly designed studies with equivocal findings. Therefore, our review indicates that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields cannot be explained by biological sex differences.
Adult influences on infant peer interaction were examined to determine whether infants would be m... more Adult influences on infant peer interaction were examined to determine whether infants would be more likely to sustain interaction with one another when their mothers were encouraging them to do so than they would when their mothers were busy with something else. A total of 36 infants, 14 months of age, were videotaped during 30-minute play sessions consisting of two previously unacquainted infants and their mothers. Observations were made under two conditions: when the mother was encouraging infant interaction and when she was busy filling out a questionnaire. Infants remained in proximity to their peer partners, interacted more frequently, spent more time interacting, and had longer interactions with one another when the adults were busy, than was the case in the condition of encouragement. Thus, on the whole, infants were better able to sustain interactions when adults ignored them than when they attempted to assist them. Most adult attempts to elicit peer interaction failed. Infants may be more "expert" than adults in interacting with other individuals who do not yet use language or other culturally appropriate means of interacting. Adults, however, may facilitate or inhibit infant peer interaction, depending on the strategy they use. It is concluded that assisting in toy placement and manipulation may be more helpful than giving advice or verbal instruction. (Author/RH)
This paper provides an overview of historical and current standard scientific practices for inves... more This paper provides an overview of historical and current standard scientific practices for investigating the evolution of behavior. I argue that Evolutionary Psychology (EP) ignores its historical precedents—ethology and the instinct critics—and while acknowledging current perspectives—epigenetics and developmental systems theories—does so only in terms of lip service. In particular, EP does not investigate the dynamic interplay between genes and context that is essential for understanding the development and evolution of behavior. Thus, EP does not conform to the rigorous standards of biology or psychology, is often unresponsive to methodological critiques, skirts theoretical controversies, and is disconnected from a large body of scholarship on issues surrounding the evolution of behavior.
Infant Behav Develop, 1996
The Different Faces of Motherhood, 1988
Journal of Interdisciplinary Feminist Thought, 2007
This study examined infants' reactions to new people by manipulating the social context in which ... more This study examined infants' reactions to new people by manipulating the social context in which infants became acquainted with new people. Infants (N=48) met someone new in the presence of another unfamiliar adult and their mothers. The new acquaintance either: (1) chatted and worked on a puzzle with the mother; (2) remained silent and worked on a puzzle with the unfamiliar adult; or (3) remained silent and worked on the puzzle alone. Mothers then left the infants alone with the new acquaintance. Infants who saw their mothers socialize with the new person interacted with that person more than did infants whose mothers did not socialize with the person. Infants in the social conditions appeared more comfortable than did infants in the silent condition. Infants in the silent condition remained closer to their mothers, played less with toys, and fussed more after their mothers left than did infants in the social conditions. A list of 14 references is included. (BC)
Wagadu a Journal of Transnational Women S and Gender Studies, Oct 1, 2011
The idea that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields stems from inherent sex diffe... more The idea that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields stems from inherent sex differences in scientific abilities has recently re-emerged. We critically examine the argument for biological differences in these abilities, focusing on two central claims: 1) There exist measurable sex differences in mathematical and scientific aptitude, and 2) biological predispositions underlie these differences. A review of the research reveals that findings of differences in math and science performance are not reliable and depend on the measures used. Furthermore, the key evidence for biological predispositions comes from poorly designed studies with equivocal findings. Therefore, our review indicates that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields cannot be explained by biological sex differences.
Adult influences on infant peer interaction were examined to determine whether infants would be m... more Adult influences on infant peer interaction were examined to determine whether infants would be more likely to sustain interaction with one another when their mothers were encouraging them to do so than they would when their mothers were busy with something else. A total of 36 infants, 14 months of age, were videotaped during 30-minute play sessions consisting of two previously unacquainted infants and their mothers. Observations were made under two conditions: when the mother was encouraging infant interaction and when she was busy filling out a questionnaire. Infants remained in proximity to their peer partners, interacted more frequently, spent more time interacting, and had longer interactions with one another when the adults were busy, than was the case in the condition of encouragement. Thus, on the whole, infants were better able to sustain interactions when adults ignored them than when they attempted to assist them. Most adult attempts to elicit peer interaction failed. Inf...
To examine the influence of older siblings on the sex-typed toy play of younger siblings, a study... more To examine the influence of older siblings on the sex-typed toy play of younger siblings, a study was undertaken of 60 children, 2 to 5 years old, with equal numbers of boys and girls with older brothers, older sisters, and no older siblings. Children's toy collections were inventoried and classified into conventionally male toys, or toys of the world, such as transportation vehicles, sports equipment, and action figures, and conventionally female toys, or toys of the home, such as dolls and housekeeping toys. Parents were surveyed to determine children's favorite toys and the extent that toys were shared among siblings. Results of the study included the following: (1) toy collections were found to be strongly related to gender, with boys playing with more toys of the world and girls with more toys of the home; (2) girls with older sisters had more girl-typed toys than other girls, and boys with older brothers had more boy-typed toys than other boys; (3) boys with older sist...
in this chapter we pose two questions: (1) how well established are the causal links between atta... more in this chapter we pose two questions: (1) how well established are the causal links between attachment security and peer competence and (2) is there an alternative formulation that could better explain the association between mother-child and peer relationships (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Dialectical Anthropology, 2014