Cognitive explanations of gender development: Kohlberg's theory Flashcards
What is Kohlberg’s theory?
Based on child’ understanding of gender developing with age due to biological maturation.
Gender development progresses through 3 stages
What are the 3 stages of Kohlberg’s gender development theory?
Gender identity, gender stability, gender constancy
Describe stage 1: Gender identity
child recognises boy/ girl. Ability to label.
Around 2 yrs.
Describe stage 2: Gender stability
child understands own gender is fixed.
Around 4 yrs.
Confused by external changes in appearance.
Describe stage 3: Gender constancy
child realises gender remain same. Identify with pp of own gender, behvaiour in gender-stereotypical ways.
6-7 yrs.
No longer confused by external changes in appearance.
Seek gender role models to imitate.
Strength of Kohlberg’s theory, in terms of evidence suggesting gender stereotyping emerges at 6 yrs.
Damon- told kids boys liked to play with girls toys. 4 yrs thought ok, 6 yrs said bad.
Kids reached stage 3.
Counterpoint to evidence suggesting gender stereotyping emerges at 6 yrs.
Gender appropriate behaviour develop before 6 yrs.
Bussey and Bandura- found kids (4 yrs) reported ‘feeling good’ about playing with gender- appropriate toys ‘bad’ doing the opposite.
Contradicts Kohlberg, support Gender schema theory.
Limitation of Kohlberg’s theory, in terms of supporting research relying on unsatisfactory methods to assess gender constancy.
Bem- kids should identify men and women from physical differences not clothes, hairstyle etc.
40% kids 3-5 yrs could demonstrate constancy if they were shown a naked photo.
Suggests typical way testing gender constancy misinterpret what youth know.
Limitation of Kohlberg’s theory, in terms of other researchers suggesting different degrees of gender constancy.
Martin- different degrees gender constancy.
Gender importance develop before 6 yrs.
Second degree of constancy open kids to gender norms (clothing).
Suggests constancy gradual, begin earlier than Kohlberg thought.
