Gender schema theory

Gender schema theory:

Martin and Halverson agree with Kohlberg - children develop their schema by actively structuring their own learning rather than observing (SLT).

They disagree with Kohlberg - children develop their gender schema much earlier, age 2-3.

Ingroup/outgroup:

• Children have a better understanding of the schema of their gender identity (ingroup).

• Pay more attention to relevant info to their group.

• Ingroup identity serves to increase the child’s level of self-esteem.

Opposing findings

Damon (1977) told 4 and 6 year olds about George who liked to play with dolls. 4 year olds said it was fine, 6 year olds said it was wrong (gender constancy and rigid stereotypes.

Reductionist

Doesn’t account for biological effects, e.g. Wang.

Research support

Martin and Halverson (1983) children under 6 were more likely to remember photographs of stereotypically gender-appropriate behaviour than not when tested a week later. Children tended to change the gender in gender-inappropriate tasks.