Kohlberg’s Theory

Question 1

What did Kohlberg believe about gender and age?

Answer 1

Believed a child’s understanding of gender increases with age due to biological maturation

Question 2

List the three stages of gender development according to Kohlberg

Answer 2

Gender identity

Gender stability

Gender constancy

Question 3

Describe what happens in the gender identity stage and what age this happens

Answer 3

Child can label own gender and others correct gender.

Age 2/3

Question 4

Describe what happens in the gender stability stage and what age

Answer 4

Child understands they will always stay the same gender although confused buy eg. Men with long hair.

Age 4

Question 5

What happens in gender constancy stage and what age

Answer 5

Gender stays the same across time and situations, children imitate role models and show gender stereotyping.

Age 6

Question 6

Explain the research support for Kohlberg’s theory (AO3)

Answer 6

Evidence suggests gender stereotyping emerges at age 6 (stage 3)

Daman: told a story about if a boy (George) can play with dolls
Age 4 said was ok
Age 6 said not ok

Supports kohlbergs ideas

Question 7

Explain the counter evidence for Daman’s research (AO3)

Answer 7

Bussey and Bandura: found children as young as 4 feeling good about playing with gender appropriate toys and bad about the opposite.
Suggests children absorb appropriate behaviours at stage 1

Question 8

Explain the methodological problems surrounding Kohlberg’s theory. (AO3)

Answer 8

Relies on unsatisfactory methods to assess gender constancy

Bem: criticised methodology as used to link gender and cognitive development. Children aged 3-5 show constancy if first see child with no clothes. then gender inappropriate clothing does not fool them