Gender Schema Theory

Question 1

Describe what is meant by gender schema theory

Answer 1

Set of beliefs and expectations related to gender derived from experience

Guide a persons understanding of their own gender and stereotypical gender

Question 2

Who founded the research for gender schema theory?

Answer 2

Martin and Halverson

Question 3

When do children establish gender identity?

Answer 3

Around age 2-3

Question 4

What happens to gender schema after gender identity?

Answer 4

Children begin finding information that encourages gender schema

Question 5

How does gender schema determine behaviour?

Answer 5

Schema formed around stereotypes and direct behaviour influence behaviours.
Around age 6 children disregard information that does not fit their schema

Question 6

What is an in group and out group?

Answer 6

In group = own gender

Out group = opposite gender

Question 7

What age do children get schemas for both genders?

Answer 7

Age 8

Question 8

Describe the research support for gender schema theory (AO3)

Answer 8

Martin and Halverson:
Children under age 6 more likely to remember photographs of stereotypically gender appropriate behaviours. When tested a week later memory worse for stereotypically gender inappropriate pictures and changed gender when recalled.

Question 9

Describe research into children identifying gender earlier than expected (AO3)

Answer 9

Zosuls: longitudinal study of 82 children 9-21 months.
Children label themselves as a boy or a girl at 19 months earlier than predicted.
This suggests martin and Halverson may have underestimated children’s ability to use gender labels

Question 10

Describe the counter evidence for earlier gender identity (AO3)

Answer 10

May not be appropriate to argue about specific ages.
They suggest the key point is the shift in a child’s thinking ages are averages not absolutes.
Some children may move through stages slower