Definition
Gender schema helps the children make sense of their world. A schema for a boy would be “boys play with trucks and are engineers.” A schema for a girl would be girls play with dolls and cannot be scientists.” As children interact with family, peers and everyone in their environment, children begin to organize what it means to be male and female. In social cognitive theory, the child learns by doing and then experiences the consequences of his or her actions. The consequences will strengthen or weaken the behavior. Behavior is determined by thinking and children react to information.
References:
Papalia, D.E., Olds, S. W., & Feldman, R.D. (2008). A child’s world infancy through adolescence (11th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill Learning Solutions.
Santrock, John W., (2008). Educational psychology (3rd ed). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Question
Is it possible for children to stereotype, when relating to Gender Schema and the cognitive social theory? For example maybe girls may grow up to think that men are supposed to do all of the hard work. I am afraid that gender schema may affect children in a negative way as well. What do you think?
Definition
Gender schema helps the children make sense of their world. A schema for a boy would be “boys play with trucks and are engineers.” A schema for a girl would be girls play with dolls and cannot be scientists.” As children interact with family, peers and everyone in their environment, children begin to organize what it means to be male and female. In social cognitive theory, the child learns by doing and then experiences the consequences of his or her actions. The consequences will strengthen or weaken the behavior. Behavior is determined by thinking and children react to information.
References:
Papalia, D.E., Olds, S. W., & Feldman, R.D. (2008). A child’s world infancy through adolescence (11th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill Learning Solutions.
Santrock, John W., (2008). Educational psychology (3rd ed). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Question
Is it possible for children to stereotype, when relating to Gender Schema and the cognitive social theory?
For example maybe girls may grow up to think that men are supposed to do all of the hard work. I am afraid that gender schema may affect children in a negative way as well.
Is this possible?
Yes.
However, modern children know that these stereotypes may not apply to them.
A woman I know is an engineering student working in a foundry -- and loving it.
My grandson is a registered nurse -- and has found his niche as an ER nurse.
What do you think?
Yes, it is possible for children to stereotype when relating to gender schema and cognitive social theory. Stereotyping occurs when individuals make generalizations or assumptions about a group of people based on their gender, race, or other characteristics. In the context of gender schema, children may develop fixed ideas about what it means to be male or female based on societal norms and expectations.
For example, if a girl is constantly exposed to the idea that men are supposed to do all of the hard work while women are meant to stay at home and take care of the household, she may develop a stereotype that reinforces those traditional gender roles. This can lead to the belief that women are not capable of certain jobs or are less competent in certain areas.
The impact of gender schema on children can indeed have negative consequences. It can limit their opportunities and restrict their beliefs about what they can achieve based on their gender. It can also contribute to inequality and discrimination.
To address these negative effects, it is important for parents, educators, and society as a whole to challenge and expand traditional gender roles and stereotypes. By promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity, we can help children develop more flexible and open-minded gender schemas that allow them to explore their own interests and abilities without being limited by societal expectations.