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 and what can the effect will the new Barbies have on this?
Thesis: If young kids are made to think that they can only play with toys that are
relevant to them, then it will have psychological effects on the children later in life.
Resource 1 (peer reviewed):
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. The children
involved with this experiment were given either a Barbie Doll or a control toy to play
with for five minutes. A questionnaire was then administered that aimed to asses the
assertion of gender stereotypes about jobs and self-perceived ability related to future
career ability. The source also references studies done that show that the biggest impact
Barbie dolls hold over children is their body shape.

2. This article is credible as well as relevant. It shows a specific example of psychological

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.
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 creator of Barbie intended for the dolls to be a self
confidence builder for both herself and other females aspiring outside of their accepted
fields. The bias is within the author and the relative newness of the article means it could
later be refuted. Also it is slightly dated already because Mattel has sense created Barbies
new look. The source is credible on the intention of Barbie dolls because it is directly
related to the creator.
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.
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. For this experiment a group of girls between ages 5 and 8 were
given Barbies, Emme dolls, and no doll for a few minutes. Afterwards, the girls who had
had Barbies were more likely to show disdain for their body or desire for a thinner
appearance.
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.
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 sixth 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. This article is a good counterpoint to my argument that will help combat some
criticism.

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.