Video Training of Alternatives to Cross-Gender Identity Behaviors in a 4-Year-Old Boy

Abstract

A 4-year-old boy displayed extreme girl-stereotyped mannerisms and playing behaviors. In consideration of ethical issues, no attempts were made to modify these behaviors directly, but his repertoire of alternative behaviors was extended. This was achieved by peer and self-modeling; that is, the subject observed brief, edited videotapes of himself and another boy engaged in playing behaviors that were not girl-stereotyped. Behavioral observations indicated that self-modeling was effective with films made with the subject plus his peer, but not with the subject plus an adult. Effects generalized to other settings and were maintained 1 year later.