cognitive explanations of gender

Question 1

what do cognitive explanations of gender suggest ?

Answer 1

suggests that understanding of gender is an active process
children learn about gender by direct experience + organise concepts intellectually

Question 2

how do cognitive explanations differ from social learning theory

Answer 2

learning gender through observation is more passive

Question 3

What are the three stages of Kolberg’s theory of gender development ?

Answer 3

• Gender identity
• gender stability
• gender consistency

Question 4

What is Kohlberg’s theory of gender development ?

Answer 4

gender develops in a series of stages
develops through the process of maturation, socialisation + lessening egocentricism

Question 5

what is socialisation ?

Answer 5

learning cultural norms from adults and peers

Question 6

what does lessening egocentricism refer to ?

Answer 6

not only focusing on their own perspective

Question 7

what is the “gender identity” stage of Kolberg’s theory ?

Answer 7

2-3 years olds are aware of their own gender + can identify other people’s gender
not aware that gender is a permanent state

Question 8

what is the “gender stability” stage of gender development ?

Answer 8

4-5 yr olds are aware that gender is permanent over time
confusion over non-normative gender appearances ie a girl with very short hair

Question 9

what is the gender consistency stage of gender development ?

Answer 9

occurs at around 5 yrs old
recognise that gender is consistent over time even if changes occur to hair/clothes etc

Question 10

what happens in Kolberg’s theory after gender consistency ?

Answer 10

children will start to identify with and mimic individuals of the same gender