Gender schema theory
Gender schema theory explains how children build mental frameworks about gender. They use these frameworks to organise their behaviour and decide what is appropriate for their own sex.
Real World
When toy retailers like Hamleys removed gendered labelling from aisles in 2011, children who had already formed strong gender schemas still gravitated to stereotypically 'own-sex' toys, consistent with Martin and Halverson's predictions.
Exam Focus
Contrast gender schema theory with Kohlberg by noting schemas form before gender constancy — this comparison is a high-value evaluation point for 16-mark essays.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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