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A methodological commentary on gender schema research
Author(s) -
Archer John
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
british journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 2044-8309
pISSN - 0144-6665
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8309.1991.tb00936.x
Subject(s) - schema (genetic algorithms) , gender schema theory , psychology , categorical variable , social psychology , conceptual schema , computer science , information retrieval , machine learning
A commentary is offered on studies intended to assess gender schema theories, the self‐schema theory of Markus et al. and the gender schema theory of Be***m. It is argued that it is necessary to distinguish between methodology which demonstrates: (1) priming effects; (2) self‐schemata, which are not necessarily gender related; and (3) gender schemata. Most studies using the third method have found negative results. It is also argued that the use of categorical classifications in self‐ and gender schema research leads to arbitrarily constituted small groups, and a loss of information. Specific recommendations for multivariate alternatives are offered.