cog explan - Kohlberg's theory

Question 1

what does kohlberg’s theory of gender development emphasise

Answer 1

theory emphasises the role of thinking in the process of development - it can be used to explain gender development and moral development

Question 2

give an example of a famous cognitive development theory

Answer 2

piagets theory of cognitive development - examined how thinking develops in children

Question 3

consequences of kohlberg’s gender theory

Answer 3

• development occurs in stages (children progress one stage at a time as thinking matures)
• progression through stages is gradual

Question 4

what are the 3 stages of kohlberg’s theory of gender development

Answer 4

• gender labelling
• gender stability
• gender constancy

Question 5

what age does gender labelling occur (one of kohlberg’s stages of gender development)

Answer 5

between 2 and 3

Question 6

what occurs during gender labelling

Answer 6

• children label themselves and others either boy or girl
• label based on outward appearance (clothing/hairstyle)
• children change label as appearance changes (oh she has short hair now shes a boy)

Question 7

what age does gender stability occur at within stages of kohlbergs theory of gender development

Answer 7

age 4

Question 8

what occurs during gender stability

Answer 8

• child recognises gender as something that is consistent over time (boys grow to men)
• gender concept is stable but doesn’t yet recognise consistency (dont understand gender is consistent across situations - believe males may change to female if they engage in female activities)
• children still swayed by outward appearances

Question 9

research to support kohlbergs stage of gender stability (mcconaghy)

Answer 9

• mcconaghy found when children were shown line drawing of doll with male genitals that were visible through dolls dress he found children under 5 judged doll a female due to external appearances

Question 10

when does gender constancy occur

Answer 10

age 6

Question 11

what happens at gender constancy

Answer 11

• children realise gender is constant across situations so now developed full gender constancy
• child starts to learn about gender appropriate behaviour

Question 12

what does it mean for a child when they develop full gender constancy

Answer 12

their thinking regarding gender is constant across both time and situations

Question 13

evaluation points for kohlbergs theory of gender development

Answer 13

(+) research support
(-) age differences
(-) gender constancy may not be required

Question 14

expand on eval point of there being research support (+)

Answer 14

• research to support 3 stages
• evidence for ages of gender labelling (2-3) - thompson found 2 year olds were 76% correct in identifying sex and 3 year olds were 90% correct
• slaby and frey found children didnt recognise gender stability over time when they were 3+4 years old - supporting kolhbergs claims of stage 2 occuring at age 4
• gender constancy can be supported by slaby and frey when they asked different set of questions and found children scored high on stability and constancy, showed greated interest in same sex models
• research support suggests kohlberg predicted increasing consistency leads to children paying more attention to gender appropriate models furthering their gender development

Question 15

expand on evaluation point of age differences (-)

Answer 15

• slaby and frey found gender constancy appeared at younger age than kohlberg had suggested (as young as 5)
• limits kohlbergs theory as it suggests it may not be entirely accurate in terms of age and stages
• one reason may be is that childrens lives have changes since theory was formulated (exposed to different kinds it gender info through media)
• therefore whilst there is evidence supporting sequence - the actual ages may be younger than what kohlberg stated

Question 16

expand on eval point gender constancy may not be required (-)

Answer 16

• there is research opposing kohlbergs claims that children wont acquire information about gender appropriate behaviour until gender constancy stage
• example - martin and little found children under age 4 showed no signs of gender stability but did display strong gender stereotypes about what boys and girls were permitted to do
• shows they have acquired information about gender roles than kohlberg states
• suggests theory cannot accurately explain development of gender