Gender Schema Theory and Roles in Culture

Gender schema theory, introduced by psychologist Sandra Bem in 1981, proposes that children learn about male and female roles from their surrounding culture. According to the theory, children align their behavior with the gender norms of their culture from early stages of social development.

Key Points:

• Gender schema theory: proposes that our understanding of gender (our schemas) is shaped by the cultures in which we live.
• Cultural Influences:
• Gender Role Expectations: Cultures dictate expectations for appropriate behavior for men and women, such as caregiving for women and industry for men.
• Value and Potential: Culture influences how individuals are valued and their perceived potential.
• Overt and Subtle Influences: Cultural influences can be obvious or subtle, impacting gender schema formation.
• Consequences of Nonconformity: Deviating from cultural norms, such as women pursuing careers or men being stay-at-home parents, can lead to societal disapproval and pressure to conform.

Categories in Gender Schema Theory:

1. Sex-typed: Identify with their gender and process information through that gender schema.
2. Cross-typed: Process information through the lens of the opposite gender.
3. Androgynous: Exhibit both masculine and feminine thinking.
4. Undifferentiated: Do not show consistent patterns of gender-typed processing.

Gender-schematic vs. Gender-aschematic Individuals:

• Gender-schematic: See the world through a gendered lens and regulate their behavior accordingly.
• Gender-aschematic: Do not emphasize gender, resulting in a less gender-focused perspective.

Rationale and Criticism:

• Bem's Belief: Gender schemas restrict individuals and society, and raising children free from these limitations leads to greater freedom.
• Criticism: Critics argue that Bem portrayed individuals as passive in schema development and overlooked the complex forces that contribute to gender construction.

Bem's Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI):

• Created by Bem in 1974, the BRSI is a widely used psychological assessment tool.
• Consists of 60 words that are masculine, feminine, or gender-neutral.
• Individuals rate their identification with each characteristic, creating a continuum from masculine to feminine to androgynous traits.

Conclusion:

Gender schema theory has significantly impacted our understanding of how gender expectations are socially and culturally constructed. It continues to inform researchers in investigating discrimination, stereotyping, marginalized populations, and mental health. Understanding the formation of gender schemas can help individuals recognize how their beliefs influence their behavior and interactions with the world.