Cognitive explanation - Gender Schema Theory

Question 1

What did Martin and Halverson claim?

Answer 1

• children understanding of gender increases with age

- kids develop understanding by structuring own learning, rather than passively observing role models

Question 2

how is the gender schema acquired with gender identity?

Answer 2

• mental construct of gender

- M + H said child searches info to develop schema at gender identity age 3

Question 3

schema direct behaviour and self understanding

Answer 3

• schema expands to include range of behaviours
• young children develop schemas from stereotypes
• by 6, child has fixed stereotypes
• misremember info that doesn’t fit in with schema

Question 4

what are ingroups and outgrips?

Answer 4

• kids have better understanding o schemas appropriate to their gender (in-groups)
• less attention paid to opposite sex behaviours (outgrips)
• not schema for both genders until age 8

Question 5

+ evidence to support GST

Answer 5

Martin and Halverson (83) found kids under 6 more likely to remember gender consistent photos and change sex of person in gender inconsistent ones (memory distorted to fit schema)
- martin and little (90) found children under 4 can still show gender stereotypical behaviour

Question 6

+ rigidity of gender beliefs

Answer 6

• theory shows why kids have rigid gender views

- conflucitng info disregard and ingroups bias as attention only paid to relevant gender behaviour

Question 7

+ compliments Kohlbergs theory

Answer 7

• Stagnor and Ruble (89) said gender schema and constant describe the processes:

schema is organisation and info (gender inconsistency forgotten)

and motivation to learn behaviour with constancy