Cognitive explanations- Kohlberg's theory Flashcards
What does Kohlberg’s theory (1966) state gender develops in concordance with?
-gender development runs parallel with intellectual development that comes with age
What are the three stages of Kohlberg’s theory and what ages do they start at?
1)Gender identity(aged 2-3)
2)2)Gender stability(aged 4)
3)Gender constancy(aged 6)
What is gender identity?
-can correctly identify themselves as male/female and can sort of state who else is male or female through questions such as “who is like you” but dont realise gender is fixed– boys could say “i want to be a mummy when i grow up”
What is gender stability?
-realise they will always stay the same gender but cannot apply this logic to others and are confused by external changes in appearance- may confuse a man as a woman if they have long hair
What is gender constancy?
-recognise that gender is constant and can apply this to others and are no longer fooled by changes to outward appearance. They also begin to seek out and imitate same-sex gender role models and identify with them. Gender stereotyping begins in that stage.
Strengths of Kohlberg’s theory
-research support: Damon (1997) told a story to children about George who liked to play with dolls
-he found 4 year olds said it was fine for him to play with dolls, but 6 year olds thought it was wrong as they developed a rigid stereotype of gender. This suggests children at 6 have reached gender constancy and form gender stereotypes.
Counter-point: Albert Bandura and Kay Bussey (1999) found that children as young as 4 feeling good playing with gender appropriate toys and bad with others. This suggest the age assumptions are not accurate.
Limitations of Kohlberg’s theory
-Methodological problems:Sandra Bem (1989) suggests that the key test of gender constancy in such studies is whether the child understand gender stays the same despite outward appearance.Bem argued that this is not surprising children are confused by this because as a society we distinguish between male and female based on appearance. Bem demonstrated 40% of children between 3-5 were able to differentiate between genders if they were shown a naked picture. This suggests that the typical way of testing gender constancy may misrepresent what young children win.
Degrees of constancy: Researchers disagree on the extent of degree constancy. Carol Martin et al. points out how and when this occurs remains unclear. They suggest there is different degrees of constancy. 1) at the age of 6 is where children seek out information or choose friends. 2) 2nd degree heightens childrens responsiveness to gender norms such as picking out clothes.Therefore more of a gradual process.
