Kohlberg’s Theory

Question 1

What is Kohlbergs’ theory based on?

Answer 1

• child’s understanding of gender become more sophisticated with age due to biological maturation - as brain matures so does thinking
• ages are approximate and reflect the fact the transition from stage to stage is gradual

Question 2

What is the Gender identity stage?

Answer 2

• at 2 years children can correctly identify themselves as a boy or a girl
• 3 years children can identify other people are boys-girls
• understanding of gender doesn’t stretch beyond sampling labelling, do not view gender as fixed

Question 3

What is the gender stability stage?

Answer 3

• at age 4 children realise they will always stay the same gender but cannot apply this logic to others
• confused by external changed in appearance and believe others can change gender

Question 4

What is the gender constancy stage?

Answer 4

• at age of 6 children recognises their and other people’s gender is constant
• no longer fooled by changes in outward appearance
• children now begin to seek out gender appropriate role models to identify with and imitate
• once a child has fully developed concept of gender they embark upon a search for evidence which confirms the concept (tendency towards gender stereotyping emerges)

Question 5

What research supports Kohlberg’s theory?

Answer 5

• supports the idea stereotyping does begin at age 6
• Damon told children about George who liked to play with dolls and asked them to comment
• 4 yr olds said it was fine, 6 yr olds though it was wrong

Question 6

What is one contradictory research?

Answer 6

• Bussey and Bandura found children as young as 4 reported ‘feeling good’ when playing with gender appropriate toys and ‘bad’ about the opposite’

Question 7

What was questioned particularly about the gender constancy stage?

Answer 7

• Martin suggested there may be different degrees of gender constancy
• initially children are oriented to the importance of gender (may develop before the age of 6)
• secondly children may be more responsive to gender norms, especially under conditions of conflict e.g choosing appropriate clothes
• constancy may be more gradual than Kohlberg thought