Culture and media

• Supporting evidence for culture

  Serbin et al (1973)- found

  • Teachers were more likely to respond when boys were aggressive than when girls were. 
  • Teachers were more likely to respond positively to dependent behaviours in girls than in boys. 
  • Boys were more likely to be rewarded for participating appropriately in class.
• A however point for Wober's study

  Study was correlational so cause and effect may not be able to be established.
• Supporting evidence for Media

  Wober (1987)- found that the children’s own career aspirations showed clear links to the gender stereotype careers they had witnessed on television. 
• However point for cross cultural studies

  • Tests and scales developed in western societies- may be meaningless in non-western societies.
  • Also interpretations may be biased due to their own cultural opinions.
• Supporting evidence: cross cultural studies

  Margaret Mead (1935)- studied the Araphesh, Mundugmor, and Tchambuli and found  that children reinforced the gender stereotypes of their culture.
• Practical applications

  Awareness of stereotypical representations allows a chance to break them down and challenge them e.g. Let toys be toys campaigns.
• Other explanations

  • David Reimer
  • Alexander and Hines (2002)
  • Hassett et al (2008)
• However point for practical applications

  Research shows that even when children are exposed to counter-stereotypes, they may not remember them accurately (Robins, 2009).