Gender schema theory

Question 1

Cognitive-development theory

Answer 1

Thinking changes with age

Question 2

What do Kohlberg and GST suggest?

Answer 2

Children actively structure their own learning of gender and not the social learning theory approach

Question 3

What is a schema?

Answer 3

Schemas are mental constructs that develop via experiences and are used by use to organise our knowledge around certain topics.

Question 4

What is a gender schema?

Answer 4

Contains what we know in relation to gender and gender appropriate behaviours.

Question 5

Martin and Halverson and gender identity

Answer 5

State that once a child develops gender identity at age 2-3 years old they begin to look around for further information to develop their schema

Question 6

GST compared to Kohlberg on gender identity

Answer 6

Kohlberg proposed that children need to achieve gender constancy at 7 but GST proposes a more gradual and earlier development process

Question 7

Ingroup schemas

Answer 7

Children pay more attention and have a better understanding of the schema appropriate to their own gender and those of there out group

Question 8

Benefits of ingroup schemas

Answer 8

Boosts the child’s level of self esteem as there tendency to judge in groups more positively

Question 9

When do elaborate schemas develop?

Answer 9

At the age of 8, children develop elaborate schemas for both genders

Question 10

What happens at the age of 6 according to Martin and Halverson?

Answer 10

Children have acquired a fixed and stereotypical idea about their appropriate gender. Therefore children are most likely to misremember or disregard info that doesn’t fit with existing schema

Question 11

A03- EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT

Answer 11

Thompson- age 2 76% correct but at age 3 90% correct
So can be seen as reliable

Question 12

A03- EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT C/A

Answer 12

Slabey and Frey contradictory evidence on gender constancy behind younger than 6 but 5 implies could be error in his assumptions

Question 13

A03- FAILS TO EXPLAIN WHY GENDER DIFFERENCE OCCUR

Answer 13

Slabey and Frey found boys exhibit gender constancy before girls but Kohlberg ignore that boys and girls are different. So only a partial explanation

Question 14

A03- FAILS TO EXPLAIN WHY GENDER DIFFERENCE OCCUR- FURTHERMORE

Answer 14

Hutson points out girls are more likely to take on a masculine type activities more easily than boys who genuinely resists. Can be explained by SLT with the identification of powerful male role models

Question 15

A03- GENDER SCHEMA THEORY MAY BE A BETTER EXPLANATION

Answer 15

Martin and Halverson development on schemas takes a more flexible and gradual approach than a fixed and deterministic. More inclusive than Kohlberg rigid beliefs.

Question 16

A03- GENDER SCHEMA THEORY MAY BE A BETTER EXPLANATION- C/A

Answer 16

Stangor and Ruble suggests the two theories should work together to provide a detailed account of how gender development works

Question 17

A03- METHODOLOGY

Answer 17

Martin and Halverson analysed Slabeys and Freys questions and found children put on a “pretend mode” so answered questions based on this. Cannot be certain if research is really accurate therefore lacking validity so should be cautious