cognitive explanations: kohlbergs stage theory Flashcards
what is kohlbergs stage theory of development based on?
This is based on the idea that a child’s understanding of gender becomes more sophisticated with age. It runs parallel with intellectual development, this is called brain maturation and it happens in 3 stages.
what are the 3 stages in Kohlbergs theory of gender development?
gender identity
gender stability
gender constancy
what is the stage gender identity?
at around 2 years old children are able to correctly identify themselves as a boy or a girl. At around 3 years old, most are able to identify each other as male or female, and can say whether a picture of a boy or a girl is like them. They are not always aware of the permanence of sex.
what is the stage gender stability?
at around 4 years old, children begin to realise they will always stay the same gender. They are less able to apply this logic to others in different situation and are confused by external changes in appearance/behaviour
what is the stage gender constancy?
at around 6-7 years old, children understand that gender is constant and consistent over time and in situations. They are no longer confused by changes in outward appearance and they begin to seek out gender appropriate roles models to identify with and imitate.
AO3: how is ‘supporting evidence’ a strength to Kohlbergs stage theory of gender development?
one strength to Kohlberg’s stage theory of gender development is that there is supporting evidence. For example, Slaby and Frey (1975) presented children with split screen images of males and females doing the same task. They found that the younger children watched both male and female, whereas, those children in the gender constancy stage spent longer looking at the same sex model. Therefore, this supports the idea that those who have reached the gender constancy stage look for gender appropriate role models.
AO3: how is ‘comparison with the biological approach’ a strength to Kohlbergs stage theory of gender development?
one strength to Kohlberg’s stage theory of gender development is that it can be compared with the biological approach. This is because the idea that a childs understanding of gender develops as the brain develops which means the biological approach supports it. This means that gender can be seen as biologically determined. Therefore, Kohlberg’s stages are tied to the changes in the childs brain which links strongly with the biological approach.
AO3: how is ‘age differences’ a limitation to Kohlbergs stage theory of gender development?
one limitation to Kohlberg’s stage theory of gender development is that there are age differences. For example, Slaby and Frey (1975) suggested that gender constancy can appear at a younger age than what Kohlberg suggests, sometimes in children as young as 5 years old. Therefore, this suggests that although the sequencing of the stages are correct, the age at which these stages occur may need changing and adjusting.
AO3: how is ‘gender differences’ a limitation to Kohlbergs stage theory of gender development?
one limitation to Kohlberg’s stage theory of gender development is that there may be gender differences. For example, Slaby and Frey (1975) also observed that boys had a tendency to exhibit gender constancy at an earlier age compared to girls. We have also found that it is easier to get girls involved and take part in typically masculine activities compared to getting boys to take part in typically feminine activities. Therefore, this suggests that Kohlberg’s theory is too simplistic as it doesn’t account for these gender differences.
