Cultural Norms/Enculturation (Martin & Halverson)

Question 1

Intro Enculturation (Enculturation is the process of assimilating to...)
LEARNING VALUE, BEHAVIOUR, CULTURAL TRANSMISSIONS

Answer 1

Enculturation is the process of assimilating to the norms of ones culture, learning appropriate values and behaviours through socialisation and internalisation. This can occur through cultural transmissions, as it is a constant learning process that is adaptable by what is shown through the media, what parental figures tell us, peers, etc. and can consist of the teachings of beliefs like gender norms (how we learn gender identity).

Question 2

What is a cultural transmission?

Answer 2

Cultural transmission is a form of observational learning of certain behaviours of a community that is passed down generations. shown in a study done by Wood (2002).

Question 3

Aim of Martin and Halverson

Answer 3

The aim of this study was to examine the enculturation of gender roles, the role of gender schema on the ability to recall info not consistent with their gender schema

Question 4

Sample of Martin and Halverson

Answer 4

The study was carried out on 48 children aged 5-6 in local kindergartens.

Question 5

Procedure of Martin and Halverson

Answer 5

1. Given test to assess level of gender stereotyping prior.
2. Presented 16 pictures with either men and women that ALIGNED with gender role schemas (eg. a girl playing with a doll) OR INCONSISTENT with gender role schemas (eg. a girl playing with a gun)
3. Children had to identify the sex of the person in the picture.
4. Probed recall procedure — asked children a week later what they had seen in the pics — “Do you remember seeing a picture of something doing (the activity) in the pictures I shwoed you last week?”
5. What gender was the person they saw? Rank on 4-pt scale

Question 6

Findings of Martin and Halverson

Answer 6

Activities consistent with gender stereotypes were more remembered than the inconsistent for females, for male actors, those inconsistent were remembered better

This was because male stereotyping is more rigid and “out of place”

Question 7

How does Martin and Halverson link to enculturation?

Answer 7

This study demonstrates the effect of enculturation on gender stereotypes, and how stereotypes are engrained in the encoding and retrieval of information - prone to distortion