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Gender Schema Theory

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Gender schema theory explains how children develop gender identity by absorbing societal gender roles and creating mental frameworks. It highlights the role of cognitive development and social learning in shaping gender perceptions from a young age. Children's preferences and behaviors are influenced by these schemas, which are supported by empirical research but also face critiques.

Exploring the Fundamentals of Gender Schema Theory

Gender schema theory, formulated by psychologists Sandra Bem in 1981 and later expanded by Carol Martin and Charles Halverson, elucidates the cognitive process by which individuals internalize cultural definitions of gender and develop their gender identity. This theory posits that children, from a young age, absorb gender role information from their surroundings and construct gender schemas—mental frameworks that categorize and influence the processing of gender-related information. These schemas are shaped by both cognitive development and social learning, as children actively construct their gender understanding through observation, imitation, and reinforcement.
Children of different ethnic backgrounds engaged in creative activities in the classroom: weaving colored beads, painting on an easel and building with wooden blocks.

The Development of Gender Schemas in Childhood

The development of gender schemas commences as children recognize and categorize themselves as male or female, typically around two to three years of age. This self-categorization leads to the differentiation between in-group (their own gender) and out-group (the opposite gender), and is heavily influenced by societal norms and expectations. Children's gender schemas evolve with age, becoming more sophisticated and detailed, and they increasingly seek out and absorb information that confirms their gender identity, often exhibiting a preference for their in-group and a bias against the out-group.

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00

The theory suggests that children create mental frameworks, known as gender ______, which are influenced by ______ development and ______ learning.

schemas

cognitive

social

01

Self-categorization in gender schema development

Children categorize themselves as male or female, initiating gender schema development.

02

In-group vs. out-group differentiation in gender

Children differentiate between their own gender (in-group) and the opposite gender (out-group).

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