Gender schema theory

Who came up with gender schema theory?

Martin and Halverson

What is gender schema theory?

Children's understanding of gender changes with age (It's developmental)

In what sense does GST share Kohlbergs view?

Children develop their understanding of gender by actively structuring their learning rather then passively observing and imitating role models

What theory proposes the passive learning style?

Social learning theory

What is a schema?

A mental construct that develops through experience and used by our cognitive system to organise knowledge around particular topics

What is a gender schema?

Everything we know in relation to gender and gender-appropriate behaviour

When does the gender schema begin to form?

Around the gender identity stage (2-3 years)

What do children do around this stage?

Search the environment for information that encourages the development of a gender schema

How does this idea contrast Kohlberg?

He said this only begins around 7 year, at the end of the stages

What do young children tend to form schemas around?

Steryotypes

What do these stereotypes then do?

Provide a framework that directs experience as well as the child's understanding of itself

At what age do children have a fixed and stereotypical idea of what is appropriate for their gender?

Around 6

What do children do if information doesn't fit their schema?

Misremember or disregard it

What is the term for the gender the child shares with others?

Ingroup

What is the term for the gender the child does not share with others?

Outgroup

Why does a child have a better understanding of their 'ingroup'?

Because they pay more attention to information relevant to their gender identity

How is research support a strength of GST?

- Martin and Halverson found that children under 6 were more likely to remember photographs of stereotypically gender appropriate behaviour then stereotypically inappropriate

- Tested a wekk later, children had chnaged genders to appropriate

- GST predicts this

Why is earlier gender identity a weakness?

- Probably develops earlier than Martin and Halverson predicted

- Longitudinal study of 82 children looked at when gender identity starts

- Data obtained from 2x week reports from mothers on their children's language from 9-21 months with videotapes analysis

- Key measure was when child labelled themselves boy or girl

- Average was @19 months- as soon as communication began

- Maybe gender identity is present before but just unable to communicate

= Martin and Halverson underestimated Childs ability to use gender labels

What is a counterpoint to this weakness?

- Not appropriate to argue about specifics

- Key point is shifts and average ages

- Sequence of development rather than pace is more important

How are cultural differences a strength?

- Cherry --> gender schema also influences what counts as culturally-appropriate gender behaviour as well as influencing how information is processed

- Traditional cultures see women in nurturing role and men in career so will raise children with schemas consistent with thsi view

-Societies with less rigid boundaries will have children with fluid gender schemas

- Martin and Halverson explain how gender schemas are transferred between members of society and how cultural differences appear