Cognitive explanations of Gender

Question 1

Kohlberg’s theory

Answer 1

• need to interact with the environment to discover, process and understand new things
• child thinking becomes more complex and understanding becomes greater as they get older

Question 2

define conservation

Answer 2

ability to understand that objects keep the same properties even if presented in a different form e.g. 2 halves are the same as one whole biscuit

Question 3

gender labelling

Answer 3

• age 1-3
• child recognises they’re boy or girl but believes they can change
• e.g. boy saying “ i’ll be a mummy when i grow up”

Question 4

gender stability

Answer 4

• age 3-5
• child realises their gender is fixed and remains stable over time, but other can change via outward factors
• understanding heavily influenced by external factors such as clothes and hair

Question 5

gender constancy

Answer 5

• age 5-7
• child understands that not only is gender stable, but it’s consistent overtime and situations e.g girls can play rugby

Question 6

consequence of maturation

Answer 6

children discover if they’re male or female then identify with members of their own sex

Question 7

munroe et al.

Answer 7

• studied children across cultures - found they progress through the same stages therefore must be biologically driven

Question 8

strengths of Kohlberg’s theory

Answer 8

supporting evidence
- Slaby & Frey found kids couldn’t answer gender identity questions right until 3-4yrs
- supports K’s theory of stages and the ages they occur

Question 9

criticisms of Kohlberg’s theory

Answer 9

methodological issues
- Bem: 40% of kids as young as 3 understand gender conservation
- suggests S&F lack internal validity

gender differences
- girls less resistant to non stereotypical play as males have more power in society so also aspire to be like them
- development different between genders

gender constancy not required for identity
- Martin & little: kids as young as 4 had strong stereotypes and beliefs about what genders can and can’t do w/o having gender constancy
- suggests gender schema theory more appropriate