Cognitive explanations: Kohlberg's theory

Question 1

Stages of development - overview

Answer 1

Based on the idea that a child’s understanding of gender and gender roles becomes more sophisticated with age
- Kohlberg believed these stages are universal
- Any differences in male and female behaviour is due to cultural differences

Question 2

Kohlberg’s stages of development - Stage 1

Answer 2

• Gender identity
• Age 2-3 years
• Child can identify/label their own sex
• Identify others sex - ‘I’m a girl and you’re a boy’
• Believes their sex can change
• Will show preference for playing with their own sex

Question 3

Kohlberg’s stages of development - Stage 2

Answer 3

• Gender stability
• Age 3-4 years
• Child can understand they will always be a girl/boy
• Child is egocentric
• Child sees certain characteristics as masculine or feminine

Question 4

Kohlberg’s stages of development - Stage 3

Answer 4

• Gender constancy
• Age 6-7 years
• Child understands that gender is constant across time and situations
• They are no longer fooled by changes in external appearance - e.g if a man wears a dress he is still a man
• They de-centre (not egocentric)
• Child begins to seek out gender-appropriate role models to identify and imitate

Question 5

Kohlberg’s theory - evaluation - strength

Answer 5

• Research support
• Researcher told children a story about a boy “George” who liked to play with dolls
• 4 years olds said it was okay for him to play with dolls
• 6 year olds said it was wrong for him to play with dolls
• Suggests that children who have reached constancy have developed stereotypes for gender-appropriate behaviour

Question 6

Kohlberg’s theory - evaluation - limitation

Answer 6

• Degrees of constancy
• Researchers suggested there may be different degrees of gender constancy
• Kohlberg didn’t explain when and how the understanding affects children’s gender-related behaviour
• Researchers suggested an initial degree may orient children to the importance of gender (may develop before age 6) - a second degree may heighten a child’s responsiveness to gender norms
• Suggests constancy may be more of a gradual process