Cognitive Explanations: Gender Schema Theory

Question 1

who are the researchers involved with the gender schema theory?

Answer 1

Martin and Halverson

Question 2

what does Martin and Halverson say about gender?

Answer 2

• Martin and Halverson agree with Kolberg that they key to gender development is actively seeking to acquire information about one’s own gender

Question 3

what is said about actively seeking information about one’s gender?

Answer 3

• this happens before gender constancy is achieved
• role of schemas

Question 4

what is the gender schema theory(ages 2-3)?

Answer 4

• Martin and Halverson
• ages 2-3
• children establish gender identity
• actively seek out appropriate behaviours for their own gender

Question 5

what is the gender schema theory(age 6)?

Answer 5

• age 6
• children have a fixed and stereotyped idea about what is appropriate for their gender
• they ignore or misremember information that does not fit in with their schema

Question 6

what is a gender schema?

Answer 6

organised cluster of information about gender and stereotypical gender-appropriate behaviour
- helps children to interpret their experiences and process new information

Question 7

what is gender development driven by?

Answer 7

the readiness to categorise gender related information using gender schemas

Question 8

what are in group schemas?

Answer 8

children are most interested in and have better understanding of the schemas appropriate for their own gender

Question 9

what does people do to out group schemas?

Answer 9

• they ignore and avoid behaviour that belong to the outgroup schemas

Question 10

what does evaluating outgroup and ingroup schemas do?

Answer 10

• by positively evaluations their own in group and negatively evaluating the out group, children enhance their self esteem