Kohlberg Gender Constancy Theory

Question 1

Maturity

Answer 1

Biological maturity allows cognitive development

Question 2

Knowledge before identification

Answer 2

Gender knowledge comes before identification with same sex role model and learning about own gender

Question 3

Three stages

Answer 3

Gender identity
Gender stability
Gender constancy

Question 4

Gender identity age

Answer 4

2-3 years

Question 5

Gender identity

Answer 5

• understand own sex
• can label genders
• understanding of gender based on external appearance
• doesn’t understand gender is consistent over time and situation

Question 6

Gender stability age

Answer 6

3-4 years

Question 7

Gender stability

Answer 7

• confused about changes in appearance
• understand own sex is consistent over time
• doesn’t understand others consistent with time or situation

Question 8

Gender constancy age

Answer 8

6

Question 9

Gender constancy

Answer 9

• no longer fooled by external appearance
• complete gender understanding of biological differences and consistent over time and situation

Question 10

AO3 + Slaby and Fry

Answer 10

only children older than 4 knew their gender stayed the same over time

Question 11

AO3 + McConaghy

Answer 11

to children less than 5, a doll with a penis is a girl as wearing a dress

Question 12

AO3 + Damon

Answer 12

children began to have problems with George playing with a doll after the age of 6

Question 13

AO3 - underestimating children

Answer 13

some children less than 6 show gender constancy associates with gender stereotypes

Question 14

AO3 - methodological flaws

Answer 14

children interviewed may have more complex understanding of gender that their vocab allows them to express

Question 15

AO3 - gender differences

Answer 15

boys achieve gender constancy earlier than girls
- could be due to boys being more severily punished for gender innapropriate behaviour