Cognitive explanations of gender - Kohlbergs theory

Question 1

Kohlbergs theory

Answer 1

Kohlberg believed that children develop an understanding of gender as their cognitive abilities mature. He proposed that this understanding happens in three stages, linked to age and thinking ability.

Question 2

Gender Labelling

Answer 2

Age: 2-3 years
Children can identify themselves and others as male or female, usually by appearance.
→ They don’t yet understand that gender is permanent or stable

Question 3

Gender stability

Answer 3

Age: 3-4 years
Children realise that their gender stays the same over time (e.g., boys grow into men).
→ But they still get confused by changes in appearance or activities (a man wearing a dress might be thought of as a woman

Question 4

Gender constancy

Answer 4

Age: 6-7 years
Children understand that gender is constant over time and situations.
→ They realise that external changes (clothes, behaviour) don’t affect someone’s gender.
→ At this point, they start to actively seek out same-sex role model

Question 5

strengths

Answer 5

✅ Developmental evidence
→ Example: Children show increasing gender consistency with age, as predicted by Kohlberg.

✅ Cross-cultural support
→ Example: Slaby & Frey (1975) found older children paid more attention to same-sex models.

Question 6

limitations

Answer 6

❌ Overestimates reasoning
→ Example: Some children show gender-typed behaviour before achieving gender constancy.

❌ Cultural bias
→ Example: Based on Western norms and may not generalise to other cultures