Cog Exp: Kohlberg’s

Question 1

Cognitive-development Approach

Answer 1

1) Kohlberg’s (1966) theory is cognitive because a child’s thinking about their gender is emphasised.
2) Developmental because the theory is concerned with changes in thinking over time.

Question 2

Gender Development

Answer 2

1) Piaget proposed children’s thought patterns and perspectives changed as they developed.
2) This can be applied to gender development - Kohlberg identified 3 stages in gender development, related to Piaget’s ideas.
3) There are gradual transitions between stages and consequently the ages are approximate.

Question 3

Stage 1 - Gender Identity

Answer 3

(2-3)

1) Children are able to correctly identify own gender and others’ genders
2) Have no sense of the permanence of gender.
3) They can classify traits and superficial characteristics as being male and female - e.g. hair length, clothing, type of toys.

Question 4

Stage 2 - Gender Stability

Answer 4

(4-6)

1) Realise their gender is fixed.
2) But they think gender can change in certain situations:
* If a man grows his hair long.
* Engage in activities which are more often associated with the opposite gender - such as a female builder or a male nurse.

Question 5

Stage 3 - Gender Constancy

Answer 5

(7+)

1) Recognise that gender is fixed across time and situations.
2) Can apply this to other ppl as well as to themselves.

Question 6

Gender Stereotyping

Answer 6

1) Gender constancy marks the point when children begin to seek out gender-appropriate role models to identify with and imitate.
2) Kohlberg suggests that once the child has a fully developed and internalised concept of gender at the constancy stage, they look for evidence which confirms it and gender stereotyping begins to occur.

Question 7

Strength of Kohlberg’ Theory

Answer 7

RESEARCH EVIDENCE

1) Damon (1977) told children a story of George, a boy who liked to play with dolls. The children were asked to comment.
2) 4-year-olds said it was fine. 6-year-olds thought it was wrong - they had developed rules about what they ought to do (gender stereotyping).
—> Suggest children who’ve achieved constancy have formed rigid stereotypes regarding gender-appropriate behaviour.

Question 8

Limitation of Kohlberg’s Theory

Answer 8

METHODOLOGY OF SUPPORTING STUDIES

1) Bem (1989) suggests it is no wonder younger children are confused by changes in appearance because our culture demarcates gender through e.g. clothes and hairstyle.
2) Bem found 40% of children aged 3-5 demonstrated constancy if they were first shown a naked photo of the child-to-be identified.
—> Suggests typical way of testing gender constancy may misrepresent what younger children actually know.

Question 9

Limitation of Kohlberg’s Theory

Answer 9

MAY BE DIFFERENT DEGREES OF CONSTANCY

1) Martin et al. (2002)
suggest an initial degree of constancy may help children choose friends or seek gender information and develops before age 6.
2) A second degree (which develops later) may heighten responsiveness to gender norms under conditions of conflict, such as choosing appropriate clothes or attitudes.
—> Suggests the acquisition of constancy may be a more gradual process and begins earlier than KB thought.

Question 10

Limitations of Kohlberg’s Theory

Answer 10

Slaby and Frey (1975) found several weaknesses:

AGE OVERESTIMATION
1) Suggested that gender constancy happened earlier than age 7, even before the age of 6 - Kohlberg’s ages were overestimated.

GENDER DIFFERENCES
2) Stated that boys were more likely to pay attention to gender differences than girls - Kohlberg does not discuss this.

IGNORES SLT
3) Does not take into account social influences and conditioning - Does not look at the social or behavioural approach of gender.