Final answer:
Children use gender schemas, which are cognitive frameworks, to assess whether an object is pertinent to their gender before engaging with it. These schemas are influenced by socialization and experiences such as the types of toys they receive and the behaviors that are reinforced by parents and society.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to gender-schema theory, in order to decide where to learn more about an object, a child must first determine if the object is associated with their own gender. Gender schemas are cognitive structures that guide individuals in understanding what is considered appropriate behavior for their gender within their culture. These schemas are built from their experiences and socialization, including the kinds of toys and activities that are encouraged or rewarded by parents and society. For example, a child who has been praised for playing with trucks (a toy often associated with boys) may develop a schema that trucks are for boys. If they come across a new toy or activity, they will first check against their internalized schema to decide if it aligns with their gender. If it does, they may be more inclined to engage with it or learn more about it; if it doesn't, they might reject it outright or approach it with less interest.
This cognitive process of sorting and interpreting information based on gender is a part of social cognitive development, as children actively work to make sense of the world and their place within it.