Applying Gender-Schema Theory

According to gender-schema theory, children learn from their cultures a concept (or schema) of what it means
to be male and female. Young children are gender detectives, so to speak. They use clues in the environment to
determine appropriate actions for males and females and adjust their behavior accordingly.

Directions: Read a childrens book or watch a childrens television show and consider its gender implications. Put
yourself in the shoes of a child. What sort of cognitive rules (for appropriate male and/or female behavior) might you
develop as a result of reading the book?

Consider the following elements within the context of gender

The presence (or absence) of male/female characters

Acceptable and/or unacceptable behaviors
Dominant personality traits
Characters professions and/or goals/aspirations
The outcome of the story/lessons learned
Whether the character(s) is rewarded or punished for exhibiting certain characteristics
Relationships between characters
Independent vs. Interdependent, Passive vs. Active

Example of cognitive rules generated from Buzzy Widget (by Hypothetical Student)

1. Men are mechanically-minded and like to build things. (Buzzy Widget built everything in his house.)
2. Men are not in touch with their feelings. (Buzzy Widgets neighbor, Miss Jane, has to infer Buzzys feelings for
him.)
3. Women understand the needs of others. (Miss Jane tells Buzzy Widget hes lonely.)
4. Men cannot cook for themselves. (Buzzy builds a female robot when he realizes he doesnt know how to make
his own breakfast.)
5. Women serve men food. (Miss Jane brings Buzzy honey.)
6. Men cannot clean up after themselves. (Buzzy builds a female robot to do his dishes and make his bed.)
7. Men need women to help them around the house. (Miss Jane tells him he needs a wife who can do
everything.)
8. Men are clueless when it comes to relationships. (Miss Jane flirts with Buzzy, but he doesnt catch on. She
calls him a dumb genius.)
9. Women must never be the aggressor in a romantic relationship. (Miss Jane likes Buzzy but will not tell him
directly.)

Book/Television Show: _____________________________________________________________________

Rules:

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According to sociocultural psychologists, the gender identities of teenagers and adults are heavily influenced by the
media. Television shows, magazines, movies, etc. constantly bombard us with messages about what it means to be
male or female. While some psychologists argue that the media reflects reality, sociocultural psychologists insist
that the media creates reality. Even though most of us feel we are immune from the medias influence, evidence
suggests our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, dreams, actions, desires, etc. are all shaped by what we see and hear.

Directions: Watch a favorite television show or movie and consider its gender implications. What ideas about appropriate
male or female behaviors does the show/movie encourage? You may also want to consider how relationships between
men and women are depicted on screen.

Movie/Television Show: _____________________________________________________________________

Rules:

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