gender development

Question 1

gender identity development

Answer 1

first social category to develop

9-12 mths: gender differentiation

12-18 mths: label genders (mummy and daddy)

18 mths -3 yrs: label own sex

by 3 yrs: well established

awareness of gender stereotypes develop very early

Question 2

kholberg stages of gender development

Answer 2

1) gender labelling:
- 2-3 1/2 years
- can label own sex and others
- do not understand gender constancy

2) gender stability:
- partial understanding of gender constancy/durability over time
- still do not understand that gender is constant over changes in physical appearance

3) gender consistency:
- 4 1/2 t - 7 years
- gender constant over time, even through superficial aspects of physical appearance

Question 3

why does flexibility develop

Answer 3

realise that gender stereotypical activities/behaviours are not defining features of gender

this is due to cognitive changes - integrate conflicting social cues - used to rely on gender only, now rely on other social cues to form opinions of people

Question 4

what factors influence gender stereotyping and gender role adaption - biological

Answer 4

argues that biological makeup leads each sex to be uniquely suited to particular roles and that most societies just encourage gender differences that have a genetic basis

Question 5

what factors influence gender stereotyping and gender role adaption - social learning theory

Answer 5

children shaped into gender roles by behaviour of other adults and children or media

e.g., parents buy their children gender stereotypical toys (might buy girl a toy makeup set/kitchen)

fathers tend to be more strict on these stereotypes

Question 6

parents behaviour towards children: middle childhood and adolescence

Answer 6

achievement becomes more salient

observe how parents teach their children

parents demand more independence for boys (more likely to refuse to help a son, but help a daughter immediately)

Question 7

criticisms of the environmental/SLT approach

Answer 7

• assumes children adopt gender roles/learn through observation, imitation and reinforcement
• doesn’t explain developmental changes

Question 8

what factors influence gender stereotyping and gender role adoption - cognitive development

Answer 8

cognitive changes in the way children understand the world and themselves

these affect gender role behaviour and stereotyping

explain developmental trends

focus on gender identity

child active in seeking out info