Effects of gender consistency on stimulus recognition

Thesis (M.A., Child Development (Theory and Research)--California State University, Sacramento, 2013.The purpose of the current study is to expand knowledge about memory development by considering the gender consistency between a child and a stimulus. Gender schemas begin operating in children as young as two years-old, but their effects on children???s memory have not been adequately studied. The current study looked at gender consistency???s effect on the memory of three to six year-olds by measuring their recognition for photos of male or female persons presented with short vignettes. Children???s age, attachment security and emotional content of the stimulus were also examined. Results showed an effect of gender consistency on recognition for girls: Girls better remembered stimuli picturing females. Boys recognized male and female stimuli equally well. Consistent with previous literature, older children recognized more stimuli than younger children. Results suggest that gender consistency can affect what children remember, and indicate that continued study of the gender schema may be fruitful.Child Development (Theory and Research