cognitive explanation - Kohlberg's theory

Question 1

describe Kohlberg’s theory

Answer 1

• gender becomes more complex as they grow and experience the world
• when they discover their gender identity they identify with people of the same gender
• 3 stages

Question 2

stage 1 of kohlbergs theory

Answer 2

1. gender labelling
   - 2-3
   child recognises he is male/female, start to call people using gender labels, but do not yet understand the meaning of these labels, or their permanence– use them as names & can use them wrongly – leads to
   pre-operational stage

Question 3

stage 2 of kohlbergs theory

Answer 3

2. gender stability
   - 3-5
   - understand that their own gender is
   a permanent thing, but still use mostly
   visual, superficial cues to determine
   others’ gender, and will imply gender
   can change based on physical
   appearance

Question 4

stage 3 of kohlbergs theory

Answer 4

3. gender constancy
   - 6-7+
   - gender identity is established
   - understands conservation applies to everyone

Question 5

AO3: supporting evidence for kohlberg

Answer 5

Slaby and Frey found children couldnt correctly answer questions like ‘ whne you grow up will you be a mummy/daddy’ until 3-4 years old

Question 6

AO3= methodological issues

Answer 6

Bem asked children as young as 3 to identify gender based on full anatomy, and found 40% were able to understand gender conservation regardless of clothing
- Slaby and Frey lack internal validity as children were responding to task

Question 7

AO3= gender differences

Answer 7

Huston (1985) found that boys are more resistant to engage in non-stereotypical play activities than girls.
- concluded this was because male role models are more powerful so b+g aspire to be like them
- social learning impacts

Question 8

AO3= ages of stages may need adjusting