BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk//
X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Factors that influence the sex difference in young children's phys
 ical aggression - Dr Debra Spencer\, University of Cambridge
DTSTART:20140513T120000Z
DTEND:20140513T130000Z
UID:TALK52290@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Rebecca Noorderhaven
DESCRIPTION:Research with animals and humans reveals clear sex differences
 \, favouring males\, in physical aggression. Some sex differences in brain
  structure and function are thought to be influenced by levels of sex horm
 ones present during different stages of development. Investigating the inf
 luence of prenatal androgens\, in both the normal and abnormal range\, on 
 sex differences in children’s physical aggression could elucidate the de
 velopmental impact of prenatal androgens on this important aspect of human
  behaviour. The overall aims of the present study were to assess the influ
 ence of prenatal androgens on children’s physical aggression and explore
  the mechanisms underpinning any associations identified\, focusing in par
 ticular on temperamental characteristics. Study measures were completed by
  a sample of 75 typically-developing children\, aged between 5 and 8 years
 \, for whom measures of testosterone (T) in amniotic fluid had been obtain
 ed. The predicted sex differences were found for physical aggression\, lev
 els of amniotic T and several of the temperament constructs. In addition\,
  physical aggression correlated with levels of amniotic T and several of t
 he temperament constructs. However\, only inhibitory control mediated the 
 sex difference in physical aggression. The results suggest that prenatal a
 ndrogen exposure may not influence the sex difference in children’s phys
 ical aggression to the same extent as it is thought to influence other beh
 aviours that show a sex difference\, e.g.\, children’s play behaviour. R
 ather\, they point to a more central role for social/environmental factors
  in explaining this important sex difference.
LOCATION:PPSIS Seminar Room (Free School Lane)
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR