kohlberg & gender schema theory

Question 1

Kohlberg’s theory of gender development

Answer 1

• child’s mental concept of gender become more sophisticated with age
• his work was heavily influenced by Jean Piaget

Question 2

Kohlberg: egocentrism

Answer 2

• assume that everyone can see the world in the same way they do
• ‘decented’ children begin to appreciate that others viewed and feelings may not always match

Question 3

Kohlberg: conservation

Answer 3

understanding that properties of an object remains the same even when appearance changes
- they do this at age 6-7

Question 4

Kohlberg - stage 1: gender identity

Answer 4

• correctly identifying yourself as a boy or girl
• happens around 2 years old
• age 3: can identify others as male or female
• don’t understand that gender is permanent

Question 5

Kohlberg - stage 2: gender stability

Answer 5

• realisation that gender stays the same
• happens at around age 4
• can still be confused by external experiences (males with long hair)
• believe that people can change sec if they do activities that are associated with the opposite sex

Question 6

Kohlberg - stage 3: gender constancy

Answer 6

• children realise that gender remains constant across time & situations
• at age 6
• applies to others as well
• no longer fooled by external changes
• starts to seek out gender appropriate role models & imitate them

Question 7

Kohlberg: imitation of role models

Answer 7

• during gender constancy they start to seek gender appropriate models to identify & imitate them
• once fully developed they actively search for evidence that confirms gender concept

Question 8

Kohlberg- ao3: degree of constancy (W)

Answer 8

• may be different degrees of constancy
• Martin: say that when & how a child’s understanding of their own & others gender affects gender-related behaviour is unclear
• initial degree of constancy may develop when choosing friends & seeking information by age 6
• 2nd degree may emerge later
• focuses more on complex behaviour & thoughts about gender (such as clothes & attitudes)
• suggests acquisition of constancy may be more gradual than suggested

Question 9

Kohlberg - ao3: research support (s)

Answer 9

• evidence suggests that children start to gender stereotype at age 6
• Damon: told children a story about George who liked to play with dolls
  
  • children age 4 said that was fine for him to do but those age 6 thought it was wrong
• suggests that children that have achieved gender constancy have formed rigid stereotypes

Question 10

Kohlberg - ao3: research support (w)

Answer 10

• research suggests that children as young as 4 reported to ‘feeling good’ by playing with gender appropriate toys but ‘bad’ when they were doing the opposite