Gender schema theory

Who developed gender schema theory?

Martin & Halverson

What type of theory is gender schema theory?

Cognitive

What is the definition of gender schema?

• An organised set of beliefs & expectations related to gender that are derived from experience

• Such schema guide a person’s understanding of their own gender & gender appropriate behaviour in general

How does gender schema theory say that children develop their understanding of gender?

By actively structuring their own learning rather than passively observing 

At what age is gender identity developed?

2-3 years old

What happens once gender identity is acquired?

Children will search the environment for information that encourages development of gender schema

For young children, schema are likely to be formed around stereotypes. What is an example?

“Boys play with trucks”

At what age does a child have a fixed idea about what is appropriate for its gender & disregards information that doesn’t fit?

6 years old

What name is given to the group of people who are the same sex as the child & what term refers to those of the opposite sex?

• Same sex: in-group

• Opposite sex: out-group 

With which group will children age 6 have a much better understand of?

Their in-group (same-sex)

At what age do children develop elaborate schemas for both genders?

8 years old

Describe and evaluate the gender schema theory (16 marks)

Write your AO1 paragraph

• Martin & Halverson’s gender schema theory (GST) proposes that children develop their understanding of gender by actively structuring their own learning, rather than passively observing.  

• A gender schema is an organised set of beliefs & expectations about gender derived from experience, which guides children’s understanding of their own gender & gender-appropriate behaviour in general.

• After developing gender identity at around age 2-3 years, children begin searching for gender-related information, often forming stereotyped schemas (e.g. boys play with trucks). By age 6, these schemas become more fixed & children tend to ignore information that does not fit their beliefs, showing stronger understanding of their own gender (in-group) than the opposite gender (out-group). By age 8, children develop more detailed schemas for both genders.

Describe and evaluate the gender schema theory (16 marks)

Write your strength AO3 PEEL (Martin & Little)

• Point: One strength of the GST is that it explains why children under the age of 4 show gendered behaviour before gender constancy (age 6-7).

• Evidence: For example, Martin & Little tested 3-5 years olds on Kohlberg’s stages of gender, as well as clothing & toy stereotypes & toy & peer preferences. Results found that children only required gender identity for their preferences & knowledge to be influenced.

• Explain: This supports the concept that children start forming gender schemas as soon as they develop gender identity (age 2-3), rather than waiting until gender constancy is achieved, as Kohlberg proposed.

• Link: Therefore, the GST provides a more accurate explanation of the early emergence of gendered thinking & behaviour in young children.

Describe and evaluate the gender schema theory (16 marks)

Write your strength AO3 PEEL (Martin & Halverson)

• Point: One strength of the GST is there is empirical evidence to show children pay more attention to & better remember information consistent with gender schemas.

• Evidence: For example, Martin & Halverson found that children aged 5-6 showed higher recall on gender-consistent images & distorted gender-inconsistent images (e.g. remembering a male nurse as a doctor).

• Explain: This demonstrates memory bias & selective attention (key mechanisms proposed by the GST), suggesting that children actively process & store information that aligns with their existing gender schemas.

• Link: As such, this provides strong support for the cognitive basis of gender development proposed by the GST.

Describe and evaluate the gender schema theory (16 marks)

Write your limitation AO3 PEEL (Hoffman)

• Point: One limitation of the GST is that there is research evidence to suggest children are not fully fixed on gender schemas & can adopt gender-inconsistent ideas.

• Evidence: For example, Hoffman found that children whose mothers work have less stereotyped views of what men do.

• Explain: This suggests that children’s schemas are not completely inflexible & may be influenced by changing experiences or social contexts.

• Link: Therefore, the GST may overstate the rigidity of gender schemas & underestimate children’s ability to adapt to new gender information.