cognitive explanations

• What is the core concept of Gender Schema Theory (GST)?


  GST proposes that children develop a framework for gender identity early on, actively seeking gender-related information to shape their understanding.
• How does GST explain children's resistance to anti-stereotypical influences?

  • Children may ignore anti-stereotypical information and instead seek out schemas that align with their perceived gender roles, often reinforcing stereotypical beliefs.
• What does Hoffman (1998) suggest about parental influence on gender schemas?

  • Hoffman found that children of working mothers tended to hold less stereotyped views on gender, indicating that parental behavior can influence children’s gender schemas.
• Gender Schema Theory (GST) posits that children develop gender schemas that influence behavior and attitudes towards gender roles, which has strong empirical support. Martin and Halverson (1983) found that children recall gender-consistent behaviors (e.g., boys playing with trucks) better than gender-inconsistent behaviors (e.g., girls playing with trucks), supporting the idea that gender schemas influence memory.
• Additionally, Bradbard et al. (1986) showed that children were more likely to remember and show interest in items labeled as “for boys” or “for girls,” demonstrating how early gender schemas affect information processing.
• While GST effectively explains how children develop gender-typical preferences, it is criticized for its focus on cognitive factors and limited attention to biological influences, as well as the role of socialization. Studies, like Hoffman (1998), show that children with mothers who work outside the home hold less stereotypical views on gender, underscoring the impact of environmental influences
• Additionally, GST’s suggestion that children will reject information contrary to their gender schemas can have real-world implications, as it may contribute to the persistence of sexist stereotypes even in progressive households. This limitation points to the importance of a biopsychosocial perspective in understanding gender development.

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• Gender schema theory can be seen as deterministic in assuming boys and girls will always display behaviours consistent with the perception of their own gender. There is research to suggest this does not always happen with Campbell et al finding 2 year old children displayed no preference over gender specific toys despite having knowledge on their genders in-group behaviours and attitudes.