The study explores the structure of adult (N = 170, Mage = 30) beliefs regarding the sexuality of preschool children (Ratkowska-Pasikowska, Pasikowski, 2013). Furthermore it evaluates the probable predictors of these beliefs: avoidance and anxiety dimensions of attachment, moral foundations and the levels of cognitive and affective empathy. Results show a two-factor differentiation of beliefs regarding children’s sexuality. Adults make a distinction between intrusive behaviors, related to verbal aggression or potential violation of other people’s intimacy, and behaviors combining sexuality with curiosity and role-playing. The former category is generally less accepted than the latter. At the same time, higher level of cognitive empathy and a lower level of endorsement in the sphere of purity/sanctity as a foundation of moral evaluation, is a general predictor of higher acceptance of sexual behaviors in both categories. Higher level of attachment anxiety predicts a higher acceptance of intrusive sexual behaviors, and a higher level of attachment avoidance predicts a lower acceptance of such behaviors. These results are discussed within the context of their importance for the future studies on childhood sexuality with parents as the potential informants on behavior of their children.
The main goal of the study was to compare investigatory responses towards novelty in 20 Wistar rats divided into two experimental groups (solitary exploration vs. exploration in pairs). Additionally, relationship between novelty and social play/interaction was analyzed in the dyad group. Procedure involved placing animals in an experimental chamber during fifteen, six minute trials on successive days of the study. On the eleventh session a new object was introduced. The results are summarized within several behavioral categories. Investigatory responses of rats in dyad to novel object in familiar environment were not quantitatively different, than those of isolated animals. The animals from both groups responded to the novel object by focusing their exploratory activity on the source of new stimulation. Amount of social play and social exploration was influenced by the experimental manipulation with important sex differences present.
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