Schema Theory

• A gender schema is a mental framework about gender developed through experiences
• According to gender schema theory, as soon as gender identity develops (age 2-3) children immediately start looking for information around them to develop a gender schema.
• Gender schemas consist of 2 groups- boys and girls. The group we belong in is our 'in group' and the other is our 'out group'. At first we focus on getting information into our 'in group'
• At age 6 we disregard information that does not match our gender schema.
• Around age 8 we start to add more complex information about the 'out group' into the schema. As our schemas become more complex it begins to shape our own gender behaviour, and our expectations of other people based on their gender.
• Limitations of gender schema theory:

  • Issues with direction of causality with the theory. GST says that gender behaviour only develops once the necessary information has been added to the gender schema. However the opposite may be true that information is added to the schema afterwards.
  • Difficult to prove the existance of schemas as they are not directly observable. Researchers must rely on making inferences
• A strength of this theory is supporting evidence from s study. In the study it was found when children under 6 were shown a photo showing gender inconsistent behaviour, they were more likely to incorrectly recall the sex of the person compared to being shown gender consistent behaviour. Supports idea that gender schema affected their memory of what they had seen.