Cognitive Explanations - Kholberg

Question 1

How many stages of development does kohl berg propose?

Answer 1

3 stages
Gender identity
Gender stability
Gender constancy

Question 2

What is kholbergs theory based on?

Answer 2

Based on the idea that the understanding of gender develops with age and that understanding gender runs parallel with intellectual development as a child develops biologically

Question 3

What is stage 1 and what happens here?

Answer 3

Gender identity - around age 2

Children are able to identify themselves as a boy or girl they can also identify others as male or female

Question 4

What is stage 2 and what happens here?

Answer 4

Gender stability
Occurs at age 4 and they now realise that gender stays the same
However they get confused and may think a man with long hair is a lady

Question 5

What is stage 3 and what happens here?

Answer 5

Gender constancy
Final stage
Age 6
Children now know gender remains constant and consistent

Question 6

Evidence to support (slaby and fray)

Answer 6

Studied children who were presented with split screen images of males and females performing the same task
At gender constancy age they spent more time looking at same sex models
This supports kholbergs idea that children seek out gender appropriate models

Question 7

Evaluation

Munro et al

Answer 7

Found cross cultural evidence in countries including Kenya and Nepal. This suggests that stages may be universal

Question 8

Evaluation

Constancy not supported

Answer 8

Many children develop gender appropriate behaviour before constancy is achieved

Question 9

Evaluation
Bussey and bandura
Condtridiction

Answer 9

Found children as young as four reported feeling good about playing with gender appropriate toys and bad about doing the opposite
This contradicts kholbergs theory

Question 10

Evaluation

Methodological issues

Answer 10

Interviews were used on children as young as 2 and 3 - they may not have vocal to express understanding

Question 11

Evaluation

Comparison with SLT

Answer 11

SLT would not agree that gender occurs as a result of maturation
SLT places more emphasis on external influences

Question 12

Comparison with biological

Answer 12

Changes in understanding gender are maturational and would gain support from biological as they see gender development as genetically determined