Cognitive Explanation: Kohlberg’s Theory:

Question 1

Nature

Answer 1

We are born with the ability to create schemas

Question 2

Nurture

Answer 2

Our schemas develop through experience

Question 3

Egocentric

Answer 3

being inconsiderate of others and being unable to see the world for the perspective of others.

Question 4

Conservation

Answer 4

Something can stay the same even though it’s appearance has changed.

Question 5

Interactionist

Answer 5

the view that nature and nurture work together to shape human behaviour.

Question 6

Stage 1: Gender identity

Answer 6

• 2-3 years
• Can label self as boy/girl by 3 years
• Relies on physical appearance (e.g hair)
• Doesn’t understand gender is permanent
• Child is egocentric

Question 7

Stage 2: gender stability

Answer 7

• 3-4ish years
• Child knows their gender stays the same
• Cannot apply this to other people/situations
• Child is still egocentric

Question 8

Stage 3: Gender consistency

Answer 8

around 6 years old
Complete understanding of gender for self and others across time, situation and despite superficial change.
They now look for role models to confirm their knowledge.
Not egocentric and understand conservation

Question 9

AO3: positives

Answer 9

+ Munroe (1984) A cross cultural study was done which supports applying Kohlberg’s theory, it included non-western and western countries (in Africa). This supports kohlberg’s findings and shows that it isn’t culturally relative. This supports that gender development is biological (nature) otherwise we would see clear differences.
+ Ken doll explanation: A “Ken doll” is shown to a 2, 4, 6 year old.
Phase A: Ken is wearing shorts| shirt |short hair BOY, BOY, BOY (2,4,6)
Phase B: Skirt| shirt | short hair GIRL, GIRL, BOY (2,4,6)
Phase C: skirt | shirt| long hair GIRL, GIRL, BOY (2,4,6)

Question 10

AO3 negatives

Answer 10

• Methodological issues - Bem suggested that children could use cues such as clothing, hair because they don’t necessarily know what the opposite sex genitals look like.
• The stage theory is based on interviews with children aged 2-6 but since children develop at different rates, some may not understand the questions or be able to verbalise their thoughts leading to confusion. Children are also very agreeable and impressionable so may have just been saying “Yes” randomly.