Cognitive Explanations: Gender Schema Theory

Question 1

Define Schema:

Answer 1

• mental representation of aspect of the world
• Related items come together to make a concept
• cognitive framework

Question 2

Describe Gender schema theory by Martin and Halverson (1981):

Answer 2

Theory argues that a child’s thinking is at the basis of their development of gender role behaviours

• child understands gender with age
• Schemas about gender become fixed in beliefs in childhood

Question 3

What does Martin and Halverson (1981) agree with Kohlberg?

Answer 3

• Child’s thinking is at the basis of their development of gender role behaviours
• understanding increases with age
• Develop occurs due to actively structuring own learning than passively observing models

Question 4

What does Martin and Halverson (1981) disagree with Kohlberg?

Answer 4

• Process starts at earlier stage
• Basic gender identity is enough for child to identify themselves
• Children learn through observation from 2 years of age

Question 5

Define Gender Schema:

Answer 5

Organised set of beliefs and expectations related to gender derived from experience

Question 6

How can a gender schema develop?

Answer 6

-due to TV, interactions with adults, with children

Question 7

Define In group:

Answer 7

attitudes and expectations about one’s own gender

Question 8

Define Out group:

Answer 8

attitudes and expectations about the other gender

Question 9

Findings of Martin and Halverson (1983):

Answer 9

Children under age of six more likely to remember gender-consistent information than gender-inconsistent information

Question 10

Is gender schema rigid?

Answer 10

Yes

Question 11

Little and Martin (1990):

Answer 11

Found that children under the age of four, who showed no signs of gender stability or constancy, nevertheless demonstrated strongly sex-typed behaviours and attitudes

Question 12

Does Little and Martin (1990) support the gender schema theory?

Answer 12

Yes

Question 13

Gender schema is concerned with how organisation of information affects….

Answer 13

memory. (Explains why gender-inconsistent information is forgotten)

Question 14

Gender constancy is more linked to …

Answer 14

motivation. (Motivated ti find out more of this role after firmly established concept)

Question 15

Why does gender schema overemphasis on the role of the individual in gender development?

Answer 15

Doesn’t not pay enough attention to role of social factors such as parental influence and media.
-Ignores role of reward and punishment (SLT)