Definition

Question

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?

Answer 1

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?