Cognitive Explanations: Kohlberg's Theory

Question 1

who was Kolberg’s theory influenced by?

Answer 1

Piaget’s cognitive-developmental theory

Question 2

what did Piaget describe children at the age of 7 as?

Answer 2

egocentric
- they assume everyone sees the world in the say way that they do

Question 3

what does Kolberg say about gender development?

Answer 3

gender development occurs in a sequence which parallels cognitive changes that take place alongside the maturing brain

Question 4

how many stages does a child’s understanding of gender develop in?

Answer 4

3 stages
1) gender identity
2) gender stability
3) gender constancy

Question 5

what is gender identity?

Answer 5

• first stage
• age 2-3 years old
• children are able to correctly identify themselves as a boy or girl
• most children are able to identify other people as boys,girls,women or men
• don;t view gender as fixed over time and situations

Question 6

what is gender stabilty?

Answer 6

• second stage
• 4 years old
• children know that their own gender stays stable over time but cannot apply this logic to other people in other situations
• often confused by outward appearance

Question 7

what is gender constancy?

Answer 7

• final stage
• 6-7 years old
• children recognise that gender remains constant over time and situations and this is applied to other people’s gender as well as their own
• not fooled by outward appearance
• children begin to seek out gender-appropriate role models to identify with and imitate

Question 8

what does Kohlberg say about his theory and gender development?

Answer 8

• once a child is fully developed and internalised concept of gender at the constancy stage they embark upon an active search for evidence that confirms that concept
• a tendency towards gender stereotyping begins to emerge at this age