G - Kohlbergs Theory Flashcards
What does Kohlbergs theory emphasise?
That children can acquire concepts of gender when they’re ‘ready’ to acquire the knowledge and hence is a maturation of development theory
What does Piaget suggest about this theory?
That young children cannot distinguish between appearance and realty/have no conversation skills - children show these skills when they understand that superficial changes don’t affect physical characteristics of an object
What is Gender Identity, Stability and Constancy?
I: 2-3.5 years, can identify someone as male or female based on appearance, lack internal knowledge
S: 3.5-4.5 years, realise gender is stable across time but not across situation, appearance is till a factor
C: 4.5-7 years, gender identity is stable across time and situation, understand that gender doesn’t change despite superficial changes
What did Slaby and Frey find to support this theory?
Interviewed 55 children aged 2-5.5 years, found the children who had reached gender constancy were more likely to pay more attention to the same sex models in the film - looking for role models - understand their gender will not change
What is a limitation of Slaby and Frey’s research?
Only 55 children - small sample so may be difficult to generalise - theory isn’t supported
What did Damon find to support this theory?
4yo - okay for George to play with dolls, 6yo - it’s wrong, older children (9yo) - okay but unusual - still lack internal knowledge, think that toys change gender
How are Damon’s findings further supported by Ruble?
Children who had reached gender constancy were sensitive to the implicit messages of the advert that certain toys weer right/wrong for boys or girls
What did Rabban find to support this theory?
3yo couldn’t answer ‘will you be a mummy or daddy’, whereas 95% of 5yo could - think gender can change before they reach gender constancy
Why does Rabban’s research lack validity?
Children may not understand the question until they’re older or think there’s a catch so may say the opposite - answers aren’t truthful and so lack validity
What is an alternative explanation of gender and why?
Gender schema theory - believes that children seek information about gender appropriate behaviour sooner than Kohlberg suggested, contradicts Kohlbergs theory as it proposes that children seek information from the environment too (nurture)
