Cultural Components of Sex Differences in Color Preference

Child Dev. 2021 Jul;92(4):1574-1589. doi: 10.1111/cdev.13528. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Abstract

Preferences for pink and blue were tested in children aged 4-11 years in three small-scale societies: Shipibo villages in the Peruvian Amazon, kastom villages in the highlands of Tanna Island, Vanuatu, and BaYaka foragers in the northern Republic of Congo; and compared to children from an Australian global city (total N = 232). No sex differences were found in preference for pink in any of the three societies not influenced by global culture (ds - 0.31-0.23), in contrast to a female preference for pink in the global city (d = 1.24). Results suggest that the pairing of female and pink is a cultural phenomenon and is not driven by an essential preference for pink in girls.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Congo
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Vanuatu