cognitive explanations: gender schema theory

Question 1

define schema

Answer 1

mental framework of beliefs and expectations which is developed through experience

Question 2

what schema is present at birth

Answer 2

spatial awareness
(hand to mouth
go from sucking thumb in womb to a dummy)

Question 3

what do schema help guide

Answer 3

schema help guide a person’s understanding of their own gender and stereotypically gender appropriate behaviour

Question 4

define gender schema

Answer 4

a mental framework of ideas related to gender that are developed through experience

Question 5

what type of explanation is gender schema theory

Answer 5

cognitive

Question 6

according to gender schema theory what age do children develop an understanding of their own gender

Answer 6

age 2

Question 7

according to gender schema theory what age do children develop an understanding of other people’s gender

Answer 7

age 8

Question 8

explain how gender schema occur after gender identity

Answer 8

a child begins to search the environment for information that encourages the development of gender schema

Question 9

how do gender schema determine behaviour

Answer 9

young children tend to stereotype
“cars are for boys, dolls are for girls”

these then provide a framework for what type of toys they then go on to play with

the children then disregard the information that doesn’t fit with their existing schema which links to them remembering women doing the washing up and the man fixing the car which are from supporting research by Martin and Halverston

Question 10

what age do children develop a schema for both genders (according to gender schema theory)

Answer 10

age 8