Cognitive Explanation: Gender Schema Theory Flashcards
What is the gender schema theory
-like kohlbergs theory, martin and halversons account is cognitive-developmental theory which argues that children’s understanding of gender changes with age
-GST shares kohlbergs view that children’s understanding develop their gender understanding by actively structuring their own learning ,rather than passively observing + imitating role models
Whats meant by gender schema
-an organised set of beliefs and expectations related to gender that are derived from experience
-such schema guide a persons understanding of their own gender, and stereotypically gender-appropriate behaviour in general
Describe gender schema after gender identity
-schema are metal constructs that develop via experience and are used by our cognitive system to organise knowledge around particular topics
Gender schema is a generalised represention of what we know in relation to gender , and stereotypically gender appropriate behaviour
-according to martin, halverson, once child has established gender identity around 2/3 ,he or she will begin to search environment for info that encourages development of gender schema
-contrasts kohlberg view that this process begins after they have progressed through all 3 stages , around age 7 in gender constancy
Describe gender schema determine behaviour
-GS expand to include wide range of behaviours/personality traits
-for young children , schema are likely to form around stereotypes , like boys play with cars and girls w dolls. Provides framework that directs experience as well as child’s understanding of itself
-by age 6 , children have fixed/stereotypical idea about what’s appropriate for their gender
-so children more likely to misremember/disregard info that doesn’t fit w existing schema
Describe how Ingroup information is better remembered
-children=better understanding of schema appropriate to own gender
-consistent w idea that children pay more attention to info relevant to their gender identity rather than other gender - outgroup
-not until children are bit older around 8 that they develop elaborate schema for both genders, as opposed to just their own
Whats a strength of GST and that its key principles are supported by Evidence
Martin + halversons own study found that children under 6 were more likely to remember photos of stereotypically gender-app behaviour, like women washing dishes than of inapp like women fixing a car when tested a week later
Children tended to change gender of person carrying out gender-inapp activity when recalling, to make gender behaviour appropriate
Provides support for GST , predicts children under age 6 would do this , contrasts kohlberg who predicted would only happen when children older than 6
Whats a limitation of GST that gender identity develops probably earlier than what M+H suggested
Longitudinal study 82 children looked at onset of gender identity
Data obtained twice-weekly reports from mothers on children’s language 9-21 months, + videoed analysis fo children at play
Key measure of gender identity was taken to be how/when children labelled themselves as ‘girl’ ‘boy’
This occurred on avg at 19 months , almost soon as kids begin to communicate , suggest children ac have a gender identity before this but dont communicate it
Suggests M+H may underestimate child ability to use gender labels about themselves
Whats the counterpoint to limitation of GST of gender identity develops probably earlier than what M+H suggested
May be inappropriate to argue about specific ages for M+H theory
They suggest key point is the shift in child’s thinking + that ages are averages rather than absolutes
Possible many children may move thru stages quicker/slower than others
Sequence of development is imp
Suggests longitudinal study finding is not fundamental criticism of theory
Whats another strength of GST and how it accounts for cultural differences in stereotypically gender-appropriate behaviour
Kendra cherry agrees GS not only influence how ppl process info but also what counts as cultural-app gender behaviour
Traditional cultures, that believe women should take nurturing role , and men should pursue a career will raise children who form a schema consistent w this view
In societies where perceptions of gender have less rigid boundaries , children more likely to acquire gender fluid schema
Point is M+H theory can explain how GS are transmitted between members of society , + how cultural differences in gender stereotypes come about
Contrasts w some other explanations of gender development like psychodynamic theory , suggests gender identity more driven by unconscious biological urges
