gender schema theory (cog. explanations) Flashcards
What does the GST suggest about gender understadning?
Gender understanding increases with AGE.
How do children develop gender understanding according to the GST?
by structuring thier own learning, and acquiring a gender SCHEMA that affects later behaviour by building up thier schema as soon as they have achieved gender IDENTITY, in terms of what the child pays attention to and wht they REMEMBER.
GST says this happens at an EARLIER age than Kohlberg suggests. (K claims this only happens AFTER they’ve progressed through all 3 stages)
how are gender schemas acquired with gender IDENTITY?
Once identity is established, child SEARCHES the enviro for INFO that encourages development of a GS. Cog system organises KNOWLEDGE and forms a general REP about everything to with gender. E.g. appropriate toys clothes.
Child learns info for these schemas from interactions with their enviro e.g. peers, adults, media.
what is schema direct behaviour?
Schemas are likely to be formed around STEREOTYPES such as.. these provide FRAMEWORKS that directs experience as well as childs understanding of ITSELF e.g. I am a boy so I play with trucks.
By 6, the child has a FIXED and stereotypical idea of what’s appropriate for their gender, so are likely to DISREGARD or MISREMEMBER info that does NOT fit with their existing schema.
what are ingroups and outgroups?
Children have a BETTER understanding of schemas appropriate to thier OWN gender (ingroup)
This is consistent to the idea that children pay MORE attention to information relevant to their OWN gender rather than opposite (outgroup)
By 8, children have developed appropriate gender schemas for both sex’s.
