Gender schema theory (cognitive explantation)

Who put forward the gender schema theory

Martin and halversons

GST is similar to Kohlberg's theory as

It suggests that children actively structure their learning of gender

It is also cognitive developmental

What are schema and gender schema

Mental constructs that develop through

Organise our knowledge

Gender schema contain what we know in relation to gender and gender appropriate behaviour

GST suggests a child first establishes

Gender identity (2-3 years old)

Child begins to look for more information to develop schema

Search for gender appropriate information

Kohlberg said they first need to achieve gender constancy

GST says it starts after gender identity forms around 3

Gender stereotypes develop

By 6 their schemas have developed a fixed and stereotypical idea of gender and what is appropriate for their gender

What is ingroup gender information

Schema appropriate to their own gender

They pay more attention to it and have a better understanding of it

Suppprts levels of self esteem as they judge ingroups more positively

What is outgroup gender information

Schema of the opposite gender

When do children develop elaborate schemas for both genders

Age 8

One strength is GST has research support

Martin and halverson found children under 6 were more likely to recall gender appropriate photographs than gender in appropriate when tested a week later

Children tended to change the gender of person carrying out gender in appropriate behaviour

Supprts GST which predicts children under 6 would do this

One limitation is that gender identity probably develops earlier

Zosuls et al analysed twice weekly reports from 82 mothers on their child's language from 9-21 months and tapes of child play

Children labeled themselves as boy or girl at average 19 months

This suggests Martin andd halverson may have underestimated children's ability to use gender labels for themselves

Another strength is GST can account for cultural differences

Cherry argues gender schema not only influence how people process information but also what is culturally appropriate gender behaviour

In societies with less rigid boundaries children acquire non standard gender stereotypes

This contrasts with other explanations like psychodynamic that suggest gender identity is driven by unconscious biological urges