Gender Schema Theory
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psychology
presentation
date published 24/04/2008
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level : General public
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In Gender Schema Theory and Its Implications for Child Development: Raising Gender-aschematic Children in a Gender-schematic Society, Sandra Lipsitz Bem introduces a cognitive model for the process of sex-typing as it occurs in child development. She then provides a step-by-step explanation of how to counter-act such sex-typing as to raise a child without any preconceived notions about gender, supposing that doing so would be liberating for the child as he or she comes into an identity of his or her very own.
To begin to explain Bems concept of gender schemas, one must first have a brief understanding of two theories, which contribute to hers: social learning theory and cognitive-developmental theory. Social learning theory explains how children learn many socialized behaviors, gender roles being one of them. Behaviors, according to this theory, are learned in accordance with positive or negative reinforcements of the childs sex-associated actions.
key words- sex-typing, sexism and homophobia.
To begin to explain Bems concept of gender schemas, one must first have a brief understanding of two theories, which contribute to hers: social learning theory and cognitive-developmental theory. Social learning theory explains how children learn many socialized behaviors, gender roles being one of them. Behaviors, according to this theory, are learned in accordance with positive or negative reinforcements of the childs sex-associated actions.
key words- sex-typing, sexism and homophobia.

