Cognitive explanations of gender development

Question 1

name the two cognitive explanations of gender development

Answer 1

Kohlberg’s theory and Gender schema theory

Question 2

explain how the cognitive approach can be related to gender

Answer 2

The cognitive approach is used in gender to help understand the development of our thoughts, patterns and cognitions

Question 3

Describe what both cognitive theories suggest

Answer 3

Kohlberg and GST both suggest that children actively structure their own learning of gender by acquiring information about their own gender

Question 4

explain what Kohlberg’s theory suggests, in relation to a child’s perception of gender being crucial for gender development

Answer 4

It is needed so that children can go through a series of developmental stages before their understanding of gender is fully acquired

Question 5

What is Kohlberg’s aim for this theory

Answer 5

AIms to explain how children’s thoughts on gender changes as they develop

Question 6

What is Kohlberg’s theory called

Answer 6

Gender constancy theory 1966

Question 7

define conservation

Answer 7

Conservation is the ability to understand that basic properties of an object, remains unchanged no matter what, even if there are superficial changes in appearances
e.g. gender

Question 8

what age does understanding of conservation occur

Answer 8

6 to 7 years old

Question 9

define what gender constancy is

Answer 9

gender constancy is recognising that everyone’s gender is constant even in different situations

Question 10

Pre-operational is a stage in piaget’s theory
define it

Answer 10

Pre-operational is the stage of cognitive development where a child’s logic lacks internal consistency

Question 11

name the three stages of Kohlberg’s theory

Answer 11

1. Gender labeling/ identity
2. Gender stability
3. Gender Constancy

Question 12

Describe what gender identity/labeling is

Answer 12

Gender identity/labeling is at 2 where children label themselves as either girl or boy but this is based on appearance only.
If appearance changes, their gender labeling does to because their logic is superficial but not consistent

Question 13

Describe what Gender stability is

Answer 13

Gender stability is at age 4 where children understand that gender is constant overtime, but not yet across different situations.

Question 14

Describe what Gender Constancy is

Answer 14

Gender constancy is when they understand that it is constant through different situations, and now begin to learn gender appropriate behaviours