cognitive approach - kohlberg's theory

Question 1

what are the main principles of kholbergs theory?

Answer 1

• the way we think changes as we get older due to in our brain - the brain becomes able to have more abstract and deeper thoughts
• adults think in a different way to children - more advanced

Question 2

stage 1 : gender labelling

Answer 2

• age 2-3
• children label themselves and others as boy/girl / man/women
• labelling is based on outward appearance only
• thinking is preoperational - lacks internal logic - reasoning may be incorrect
• girls have long hair, cut your hair, you’re now a boy
• no longevity in their thinking

Question 3

stage 2 : gender stability

Answer 3

• age 4
• child recognizes that gender is something that is stable - i.e boys grow into men
• until the age of 7, children still have a superficial view of gender

Question 4

stage 3 : gender constancy

Answer 4

• age 6/7
• children understand that gender is constant across all situations - they develop gender constancy
• they can now learn gender appropriate behavior (gender schema)

Question 5

how does bem criticize kholberg and support the biological approach?

Answer 5

genital knowledge rather than gender constancy lies at the root of gender

Question 6

supportive research of kholberg

Answer 6

• thomson - rates of children correctly identifying gender increased with age

Question 7

what is the distinctive difference between stage 2 and 3?

Answer 7

stage 2 - child knows what gender they are now and understands that they have always been the same gender and will stay the same in the future

stage 3 - child know that they cant change their gender - child seeks out same sex role models to learn appropriate behaviors