A03

• P: strength: GST its key principles are supported by evidence.

  E: Martin + Halverson ('83) found children <6 were more likely to remember photographs of stereotypically gender-appropriate behaviour than gender-inappropriate behaviour.

  E: Children were > likely to recall a woman washing dishes than a woman fixing a car, children often changed the gender of the person to align with stereotypical behaviour.

  L that gender schema theory is accurate in predicting that children under 6 years will exhibit memory bias, in contrast to Kohlberg’s theory, which predicts this behaviour occurs later.
• Point: One limitation of gender schema theory is that gender identity probably develops earlier than originally suggested.

  Evidence: For example, Zosuls (2009) collected data from mothers' reports on their children's language from 9 to 21 months and videotaped play analysis. 

  Explain: This study found that children begin to label themselves as a 'boy' or 'girl' on average by 19 months, as soon as they begin to communicate.

  Link: Therefore, this suggests that Martin and Halverson may have underestimated children's ability to use gender labels about themselves at an earlier age.
• Point: One limitation of gender schema theory is that gender identity probably develops earlier than originally suggested.

  Evidence: For example, Zosuls (2009) collected data from mothers' reports on their children's language from 9 to 21 months and videotaped play analysis. 

  Explain: This study found that children begin to label themselves as a 'boy' or 'girl' on average by 19 months, as soon as they begin to communicate.

  Link: Therefore, this suggests that Martin and Halverson may have underestimated children's ability to use gender labels about themselves at an earlier age.
• Point: A counterpoint is that it may not be appropriate to argue about specific ages for GST.

  Evidence: For example, Martin and Halverson suggest that the key point is the shifts in a child's thinking, with ages serving as averages rather than absolutes.

  Explain: The theory explains that the sequence of development is more important than the exact age at which stages occur and children may move through stages at different rates.

  Link: Therefore, this suggests that Zosuls finding is not a fundamental criticism of the theory but rather highlights variability in development.
• P: :) GST can account for cultural diffs in stereotypically gender-app behaviour.

  Evi: Cherry (2019) argues that gender schema (gs) influences not only info processing but also what counts as culturally-app gender behaviour.

  Exp: In traditional cultures, where women are expected to be nurturing, men are expected to pursue careers, children form a schema consistent with these views. In societies with less rigid gender boundaries, children develop more fluid gs.

  L: that GST effectively explains how gs are transmitted within a society and how cultural diffs in gender stereotypes arise.