Cognitive Explanations (Kohlberg’s Theory)

Question 1

Outline Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory

Answer 1

• Kohlberg’s (1966) cognitive-developmental theory of gender is based on the idea that a child’s understanding of gender becomes more sophisticated with age
• but not because of experience
• it comes as a result of biological maturation - as the brain matures so does thinking
• gender development is thought to progress through three stages

Question 2

What are the three stages in Kohlberg’s theory?

Answer 2

1. Gender identity
2. Gender stability
3. Gender constancy

Question 3

Outline stage 1 of Kohlberg’s theory

Answer 3

• Gender identity
• around age of 2
• children are able to correctly identify themselves as a boy or girl
• at 3, most children are able to correctly identify other people as male or female, and can correctly respond to questions such as, ‘Which one of these is like you?’ If they are shown a picture of a man and a woman
• their understanding of gender tends not to stretch much beyond simple labelling
• often children of this age group are not aware that sex is permanent
• e.g. a two year old boy might say “when i grow up i want to be a mummy”