GENDER SCHEMA

• WHAT DID GENDER SCHEMA THEORISTS ARGUE COMPARED TO KOHLBERG?

  early cognitive processes (like gender labelling) are more important than later stages (gender constancy)
• WHO ELABORATED ON KOHLBERG'S THEORY LEADING TO GENDER SCHEMA THEORY?

  Martin and Halverson
• WHAT DID MARTIN AND HALVERSON STATE?

  after gender identity is established, children search their environment for information that assists development of their gender schema
• WHAT IS A GENDER SCHEMA?

  mental representation of gender-related behaviours leading to the formation of stereotypes regarding expectations of gender-appropriate behaviour
• WHAT DO GENDER SCHEMAS DO?

  help simplify complex information for efficient processing
• WHAT HAPPENS TO GENDER SCHEMAS OVER TIME?

  develop with new experiences and are adapted accordingly
• INFLUENCE OF SCHEMAS ON CHILDREN?

  children recall information that fits their ingroup schema and discounts any that doesn't (outgroup schema)
• WHAT ARE INGROUP SCHEMAS?

  appropriate to own gender (therefore focused on)
• WHAT ARE OUTGROUP SCHEMAS?

  appropriate to other genders (therefore avoided)
• WHAT DOES THE FOCUS ON INGROUP SCHEMAS IN CHILDREN EXPLAIN?

  why children have very fixed gender attitudes
• EVALUATION POINTS OF GENDER SCHEMA THEORY?

  + research support

  + real world application

  -fails to consider role of biology

  -contrasting research
• RESEARCH SUPPORT?

  MARTIN + HALVERSON

  • children under 6
  • viewed gender inconsistent photos
  • found that children distorted/ quickly forgot inconsistent information
  • credible theory
  • highlights stereotype rigidity
  • more accurate than Kohlberg's (states gender appropriate behaviours begin earlier)
• REAL WORLD APPLICATION?

  • insight into gender development
  • help understand why we stereotype on a gender basis
  • important issue
  • DUEHR AND BONO: showed stereotyping on a gender basis leads to institutional sexism
  • help reduce prejudices in society
• FAILS TO CONSIDER ROLE OF BIOLOGY?

  • nature vs nurture debate
  • emphasises effect of peers on formation and modification of schemas
  • underestimates role of chromosomes and hormones
  • demonstrated in animal studies
  • FRANCIS: oxytocin = feminine behaviours
  • explanation cannot explain relationship
  • interactionist approach more appropriate
• CONTRADICTING RESEARCH?

  BUSSEY + BANDURA

  • 3 year olds
  • could not label themselves as boy or girl
  • reacted in gender stereotypical ways to gender inconsistent behaviour
  • shows schemas alone cannot explain all gendered behaviour
  • social learning theory addresses why some gender stereotypical behaviour occurs before gender identity achieved (more appropriate)