Bailee Walker

Professor Adam Padgett

English 102
1 March 2016
Question: What effects can simple childhood toys, such as a Barbie doll, have on young
kids?

Comment [AH1]: Good research question!

Thesis: If young kids are not taught or made to think that they can only play with certain
toys or toys that are relevant to them, then it will have psychological effects on the children
later in life.
Resource 1 (peer reviewed):

Comment [AH2]: This thesis is a little to wordy and kind of

confusing, I would condense it into a smaller sentence.
However, where you are going with your thesis is a really
good direction!

Abramson, Elise. "Barbie Brains: The Effect of Barbie Dolls on Girls' Perception of Male and
Female Jobs." Http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu. Oregon State University University
Honors College, 21 May 2009. Web. 1 Mar. 2016.
<http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/12188/ThesisAbramsonx.p
df>.
1. This resource is an experiment designed to determine or establish a correlation between
stereotypical toys and how a child perceives their gender in relation to jobs.
2. This article is credible as well as relevant. It shows a specific example of psychological

Comment [AH3]: This is a great resource for your research

question!
I am curious about the results of this experiment!

effects on children. The hypothesis is the main area for bias as well as the questionnaire
used in the experiment which could unintentionally be designed to illicit certain
responses. This resource is relatively new and future experiments could out date this
material.

Comment [AH4]: Good!

3. This resource shows a specific example of psychological effects on children, therefore, is

suitable for my paper.
Resource 2 (peer reviewed):
Albers, Susan, Psy.D. "A Barbie World." Psychology Today. Psychology Today, 3 Dec. 2009.
Web. 01 Mar. 2016. <https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/comfortcravings/200912/barbie-world>.
1. This resource mostly argues while there is a casual link between body image issues and
this blonde bombshell, the link is unintentional.
2. This article is both credible and relevant. This article studies how the creator of Barbie
intended the toys to be used. The bias is within the author and the relative newness of the

Comment [AH5]: How did the creator of Barbies intend

the toys to be used?

article means it could later be refuted. Also it is slightly dated already because Mattel has
sense created Barbies new look.

Comment [AH6]: Does your research question still have

the same standing even with the new Barbies?

3. This article is suitable for the topic because it analyzes what the intention was and could
be helpful in contrasting what Barbie has become to what she was.
Resource 3:
Choi, Hanna. "Roundup: Here's What People Are Saying About Barbie's Diversity Makeover."
NPR. NPR, 5 Feb. 2016. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2016/02/05/465317939/roundup-heres-whatpeople-are-saying-about-barbies-diversity-makeover>.
1. This article analyzes the motivation of Mattel in releasing its new Barbies as well as the
potential detriments it will exhibit. The article basically compiles evidence from other
articles.

Comment [AH7]: Interesting. Also good for you research

question.

2. The article is relevant, credible and the bias is within the author. It is a response to a
recent event related to the topic.
3. This article helps update the topic and relate it to recent events.
Resource 4 (peer reviewed):
Ive, Suzanne, Emma Halliwell, and Helga Dittmar. "Does Barbie Make Girls Want to Be Thin?
The Effect of Experimental Exposure to Images of Dolls on the Body Image of 5- to 8Year-Old Girls." Developmental Psychology. Web. 1 Mar. 2016.
<http://willettsurvey.org/TMSTN/Gender/DoesBarbieMakeGirlsWantToBeThin.pdf>.
1. This source is an experiment conducted to determine any correlation between Barbie
dolls and self image.
2. It is credible and relevant. The bias is within the authors, but is somewhat balanced
because there are three authors.
3. This source is suitable to my argument because it resource shows a specific example of
psychological effects on children.
Resource 5:
Massie, Victoria M. "With 33 New Looks, Barbie Is Finally Embracing Different Standards of
Beauty." Vox. Vox, 29 Jan. 2016. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.vox.com/2016/1/29/10871044/new-barbie-dolls>.
1. This article claims that all ideas of beauty do not have equal representation, and then
notes that Mattel will look to help close the gap of representation with the release of the
updated Barbies.
2. This article is both relevant and credible. Although it is from a commercial magazine, it
helps contribute to the argument and use a recent event to do so. The bias of the source

comes from the author and is partially the reason for using the source. Opinions of the
public for this topic are important being as it is about psychological effects on the public.
3. Once again the nature of the project lends itself to having public opinion included.

Comment [AH8]: This is true. A commercial magazine is a

goo way to get the publics opinion, it is not as formal as a
journal and article and might give you a new perspective. I
like it!

Resource 6:
Notkin, Melanie. "The New Realistic Barbies Squash Kids Imaginations." New York Post. New
York Post, 29 Jan. 2016. Web. 01 Mar. 2016. <http://nypost.com/2016/01/29/the-newrealistic-barbies-squash-kids-imaginations/>.
1. The second source says that the new Barbies will limit the imagination of this generation.
She insists that the new Barbies will pressure children into getting Barbies that they look
like.
2. This article is credible and relevant. Although this article comes from a commercial
magazine, it helps the argument by again representing the publics opinion. It also is a
response to a recent event. The bias lies within the author.
3. The nature of the project lends itself to having public opinion included.

Comment [AH9]: Is this a bad psychological effect though?

I do not think getting a Barbie that looks like you is creating
a bad image necessarily.