Cognitive Explanations: Gender Schema Flashcards
1
Q
Outline gender schema theory
A
- Argues a child’s understanding of gender increases in sophistication with age
- Shares view with Kohlberg that children develop their understanding of gender by actively looking for gender appropriate behaviour
2
Q
Define a schema
A
Mental construct we develop via experiences, though some are innate, used by our cognitive system to organise knowledge around a particular topic
3
Q
Define a gender schema
A
Generalised representation of everything we know in relation to gender/ appropriate behaviour
4
Q
How does a gender schema develop
A
- Once a child has established gender identity (2-3 years)
- Will search for information to develop gender schema
- Whereas Kholberg said only develops after gender constancy (7)
5
Q
Schema direct behaviour and self-understanding
A
- Schema expand to include wide range of behaviours
- Stereotype behaviour reinforces child’s understanding of their own self
- By age of 6 child has fixed ideas about what is gender appropriate so will misremember or disregard info that does not fit with existing schema
6
Q
Ingroups and outgroups
A
- Children have much better understanding of their own gender
- This is consistent with idea children pay more attention to information relevant to their own gender
- Children develop schemeas for both genders at around 8
7
Q
Evidence support
A
- Children under 6 more likely to remember photographs of gender-consistent behaviour a week later
- Tended to change the sex of gender-inconsistent behaviour when asked to recall
- Shows memory may be distorted to fit with existing schemas
8
Q
Supports children’s inflexibility with gender roles
A
- Theory can account for fact young children hold fixed gender beliefs
- In-group bias ignores a woman working at a building site and would confirm a woman working at a factory
- Pay more attention to information to relevant behaviour
- Explanatory power
