Gender Schema Theory

Question 1

who’s developed the gender schema theory?

Answer 1

• originally Bem with the androgyny
• Martin and Halverson researched and tested it

Question 2

what are gender schemas?

Answer 2

• formed from a child’s experiences with gender at birth e.g. adult, peers, media
• understanding and expectations of gender based on cultural norms

Question 3

what do gender schemas include info about?

Answer 3

gender on/appropriate behaviour, clothing expectations, characteristics & personality traits, toys and activities expectations

Question 4

in group

Answer 4

• your own gender, shown interest and bias
• try to be the best within your own gender

Question 5

out group

Answer 5

other genders, shown a dislike by child

Question 6

in/out-group biases

Answer 6

• biases towards in & out groups help develop a positive self-identity
• motivates us to model the behaviour of the in group to feel like we belong to it as much as possible

Question 7

what is resilience of gender beliefs?

Answer 7

• when confronted with non-typical gender representations- they use their schemas, and ignore or dismiss any that doesn’t agree
• results in stereotypical gender being reinforced further
• paying more attention to stimuli that agrees with in-group beliefs and schemas

Question 8

how is resilience of gender beliefs useful?

Answer 8

• helps us understand why children have such fixed beliefs about gender

Question 9

role of peer relationship

Answer 9

peer pressure, going along with your in-group bias to be accepted rather than rejected

Question 10

strengths of GST

Answer 10

Research Support
- M&H: distorted memory of counter-stereotypical pictures e.g male nurse as females
- supports resilience of gender beliefs, strong influence of schema
Research to support in-group bias
- Brabard: remembered more items labelled as their gender
- pay more attention to ingroup

Question 11

criticisms of GST

Answer 11

Research to challenge resilience
- Hoffman: kids w/ working mothers have less stereotypical of gender roles
- can adapt schema accordingly
Schema theory better than Kohlberg’s
- doesn’t focus on specific ages, gender identity younger than research suggests