Abstract

The present study examined the effects of superhero materials on boys' physically active and imaginative play in a group of middle-class preschool children. Research findings have indicated that media related play, more specifically superhero and rough and tumble may be associated with aggressive and violent behaviour, as well as limited activity with regards to role play. Fifty-eight boys between the ages of 4 and 5 years ( M = 54.95 mos., SD = 5.28 mos.) from middle SES backgrounds who attended day care full-time participated in the study. Eighteen preschool educators, as well as fifty-eight parents participated in the study. The participants (male dyads) were observed for the frequency and quality of roles, themes, level of physical activity in their play, as well as aggression. Each dyad participated in two play sessions, one including superhero materials (media related) one nonsuperhero (non-media related). The parents and educators were asked to respond to questionnaires pertaining to boy's play choices and behaviours. Each dyad's ( n = 29) play behaviour was coded for the type and number of pretend play roles, themes, amount of physical activity, as well as aggression in both toy conditions. It was found that the male dyads engaged in more character/fictive (media related) roles in the superhero condition than the nonsuperhero condition. Finally, dyads were found to be more physically active in the nonsuperhero condition than the superhero condition and no aggression or violence was associated with the play.