gender schema theory

• gender schema theory

  • Like Kohlberg, Martin and Halverson argue children's understanding of gender increases with age
  • Develop understanding by actively seeking out learning experiences rather than passively observing and imitating role models
  • Cognitive developmental explanation
• gender schema acquired with gender identity

  • gender schema is a generalised representation of everything we know in relation to gender and gender-appropriate behaviour
  • martin and halverson say that once a child has established gender identity they will begin to search environment for info that develops the schema
• schema direct behaviour and self-understanding

  • schemas expand to include wide range of behaviours and personality traits
  • provide framework that directs experience and self-understanding
  • by 6 child has fixed and stereotypical idea of what is appropriate for its gender
  • will therefore misremember or disregard info that doesnt fit with existing schema
• ingroups and outgroups

  • children have better understanding of what is appropriate for own gender (ingroup)
  • consistent with children paying more attention to info relevant to own gender identity
  • not until around 8 that they develop elaborate schemas for both genders
• S - research support

  • Martin and Halversons own study found that children under 6 were more likely to remember photos of gender-consistent behaviour than photos of gender-inconsistent behaviour when tested a week later
  • tended to change the sex of the person carrying out the gender-inconsistent behaviour
  • supports the idea that memory may be distorted to fit with existing gender schemas
• W - overemphasis on the role of the individual

  • it is likely that the importance of schemas in determining behaviour is exaggerated
  • doesnt take into account the role of social factors like the role of reward and punishment
  • therefore the theory doesnt really explain why gender schemas develop