Cognitive explanation of gender development Gender Schema Theory Cognitive explanation of gender development

Gender consistency theory test: Quiz All questions are worth 1 mark unless otherwise stated. Whose theory is it? Which approach does the theory come from? Name the three stages and put them in the correct order (3 marks) When which stage is achieved should children show gender appropriate behaviour? The process of a child’s thinking about gender drives their gender socialisation. What is this process called?   Slaby and Frey’s study agreed with a key idea from the theory – which bit of it did it agree with?  Martin and Little’s research disagreed with the theory – why?

Starter: gender schema theory 5 Minutes Starter: gender schema theory What is a schema? What two schema’s are involved in the model proposed by Martin and Halverson (1981)? When do children start to develop the schemas? What's the difference between Kohlberg’s constancy theory and Martin and Halverson’s Gender schema theory?

Starter: gender schema theory What is a schema? A mental structure that guides the processing of information and experience What two schema’s are involved in the model proposed by Martin and Halverson (1981)? In-group – out-group schema, ‘own sex’ schema When do children start to develop the schemas? As soon as children are able to label themselves as boys or girls. What's the difference between Kohlberg’s constancy theory and Martin and Halverson’s Gender schema theory? Predict when children will begin to absorb gender-relevant knowledge. Kohlberg = Gender Constancy/ Martin and Halverson = Gender Identity, or as soon as the children have some awareness or which group they belong to.

Sandra Ben: Further explanation Sandra Bem (1981) suggested that children can be categorised as gender-schematic (they perceive information about themselves that reflects stereotypes and are more ready to categorise behaviours as definitely male or female) or gender non-schematic (they have a more androgynous schema with both male and female behaviours). Androgyny is healthier as it allows for more flexible behaviour and less anxiety.

Activity Summarise, in no more than 1 sentence, how each of the following explains gender development: Schemas Ingroup/outgroup processes

Activity 1: Research In your groups on the big whiteboards. For the study, decide whether it supports or refutes Gender Schema Theory and why… Comment on the overall validity/reliability of the research Piece of research on each whiteboard. Write how this either supports/refutes GST Big whiteboard – write about the overall validity/reliability of the research Hand out sheet that they can ground.

Activity 2: Evaluation Answer and expand on the below points: Does the theory explain Individual differences? Is the theory explanatory? Are there any practical applications we can take from the theory? Can we relate any of the issues and debates to this approach?

Individual differences weakness of the gender schema theory not all children conform to gender stereotypical behaviour. For example, those who are raised as gender neutral Furthermore, the gender schema theory has difficulty explaining why different children with much of the same environmental influences respond differently to gender-appropriate behaviour. For example, this theory cannot explain why some girls may prefer action figures and some boys may prefer barbies. What other explanation could we use to explain this?

Is the theory explanatory? Explanatory, rather than simply descriptive (a criticism of Kohlberg’s’ cognitive theory of gender development). The gender schema theory offers a more detailed cognitive explanation of the process that underpins gender. For example it offers a greater understanding as to why children have rigidity gender beliefs (children do not accept information that goes against their schema). Although the gender schema theory does offer a more detailed and explanatory understanding of gender development compared to Kohlberg’s theory, there are still questions regarding gender development that aren’t answered by the cognitive explanation.

Practical applications? A strength of the gender schema theory is that it can help explain some of the processes by which gender stereotypes become so psychologically ingrained in our society. Understanding these processes has led to many practical applications, particularly in the area of education. For example, it has helped raise awareness that the male/female dichotomy is used as an organising framework, often unnecessarily, especially in the school curriculum. By knowing this and understanding student behaviour in the classroom it has helped educators promote gender equality (questioning, seating plans) and has helped to teach alternative schemata to children so they are less likely to build and maintain a gender schema

I&D: nature vs. nurture The gender schema theory suggests that we innately organise information in order to make sense of the world around us, children develop gender schemata for this reason. However this theory also suggests that gender schemata develop as a result of social and environmental factors thus emphasises the role of nurture in gender development. This provides a logical explanation for why gender stereotypes develop, and creates a more flexible way of explaining a child's understanding of gender than Kohlberg’s theory. Think of some points for your IDA: nature vs. nurture / Determinism vs. free-will (children have little choice over their gender preferences – strongly influenced through socialisation which is out of the childs control. Archer – gender inconsistent behaviour in girls – difference would not occur Cognitive as we can see look at both nature and nurture. Concentrating on the debates – I want to turn your attention to the approaches. Cultul biaS

Individually: 5 minutes choose one question to answer. Outline gender schema theory explanation of gender development (6 marks) Give one criticism of the gender schema theory (4 marks) Explain in what way gender schema theory is an example of the cognitive approach in psychology. (3 marks) Explain one difference between Kohlberg's theory of gender development and the gender schema theory. (4 marks)

Discuss gender schema theory into gender development (16 marks) Plan. In your groups. Discuss gender schema theory into gender development (16 marks)