Contrast gender-scheme theory and gender similarities hypothesis. Provide examples to support your explanation

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Gender-schema theory
A theory of development that believes that children internalize gender scripts that reflect the gender-related social practices of the culture. Once internalized, these gender scripts predispose the kids to construct a self-identity that is consistent with them. Children internalize these scripts and accept gender polarization as normal. Children's self-esteem becomes wrapped up in how closely their behavior conforms to the proper sex role stereotype.

Gender similarities
In an important meta-analysis of studies examining gender differences in such traits as personality, cognition, communication skills, and leadership ability, Hyde found that men and women are basically more alike than different on these critical psychological variables; she refers to her finding as the gender similarities hypothesis. Hyde found that gender differences had either no or a very small effect on most of the psychological variables examined, with only a few exceptions: compared with women, men were more physically aggressive and approved of sex without commitment. Hyde also found that gender differences fluctuate with age, growing smaller or larger at different times in the lifespan, indicating that differences are not stable and change over the life course. She may be addressing an important contemporary phenomenon: even if gender differences existed before, they may now be eroding. If so, this phenomenon may be impacting gender differences in delinquency.