Gender Schema Theory (Martin & Halverson)

• What is a schema according to Gender Schema Theory?

  A basic unit of intelligence (information)
• How does Gender Schema Theory differ from Kohlberg's theory regarding the age children acquire gender knowledge?

  Children acquire gender knowledge earlier than Kohlberg suggested
• What is the cognitive developmental aspect of Gender Schema Theory?

  Children develop understanding actively, not passively
• At what age do children achieve gender identity according to Gender Schema Theory?

  Around 3 years old
• How do children learn gender-related schemas?

  From adults, peers, and media
• How does Gender Schema Theory's view on rigidity of gender differ from Kohlberg's view?

  Gender is rigid at age 3, not 7
• What is the in-group and out-group schema in Gender Schema Theory?

  Children identify with same-sex peers
• How do gender schemas influence social relationships?

  They affect interactions with same and opposite sex peers
• How might a child's schema evolve regarding playing with dolls?

  From 'A doll is for a girl' to 'I can play with a doll'
• What do children do with information that contradicts their gender schemas?

  They ignore inconsistent information
• How do schemas develop as children gain experience?

  From basic categories to complex categories
• What are the strengths of Gender Schema Theory?

  • Strong empirical evidence from Martin & Halverson (1983)
  • Children remember gender-consistent information better
  • Martin & Little (1990) support GST with findings on sex-typed behaviors
  • Liben and Signorella (1993) show schemas affect gender behavior
• What are the weaknesses of Gender Schema Theory?

  • Overemphasis on cognitive factors, neglecting social influences
  • Difficulty in changing behavior despite schema changes
  • Potential gender bias in development timelines
• What did Kane & Sanchez (1994) find regarding gender schemas and behavior?

  Strong views on equality do not change behavior
• What did Bauer (1993) find about boys and gender schemas?

  Boys use gender schemas by 25 months
• Why might girls develop gender schemas differently than boys?

  Girls see mothers in diverse roles