Kohlberg's theory - AO3

Question 1

What is a strength of Kohlberg’s theory?

and counterpoint

Answer 1

• P: Strength = supporting research evidence
• E: Damon (1977): Told children a story of George, a boy who liked to play with dolls. The children were asked to comment
• E: 4 year olds said it was fine. 6 year olds thought it was wrong, they had developed rules about what they ought to do (gender stereotyping)
• L: Children who have achieved constancy have as predicted formed rapid stereotypes regarding gender appropriate behaviours

Bussey and bandura (1999): Children as young as 4 found felt good when playing with age appropriate toys and bad about the opposite

Question 2

What are two limitations of Kohlberg’s theory?

Answer 2

• P: Limitation = methodology of supporting studies
• E: Bem (1989): Younger children are confused by changes in appearance because our culture demarates gender through e.g clothes and hairstyles
• E: em found 40% of children aged 3-5 demonstrated constancy if shown a naked photo
• L: Typical way of taking gender constancy may misrepresent what younger children actually know

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• P: Limitation = may be different degress of constancy
• E: Martin et al. (2002): an actual degree of constancy may help children choose friends or seek gender information
• E: A second degree may heighten responsiveness to gender norms under conditions of conflict, such as choosing appropriate clothes and attitudes
• L: Acquisition of consatncy may be a more gradual process and begins earlier than Kohlberg thought

Question 3

What is something to consider about Kohlbergs theory?

Answer 3

• P: Nature vs nurture
• E: Kohlberg’s theory has cross-cultural support (e.g Munroe et al 1984), suggesting that the cognitive chnages described may be universal: biological
• E: Bussey and Bandura (1999): Claim that observation, imitation and identification with role models play a more influential role in gender development than cognitive structures
• L: Likely that the development of gender-related concepts in the maturing child involves and interaction of nurture and nature