Kohlbergs Explanation

Question 1

Stage one

Answer 1

Gender identity
By the age of two children can label themselves and others as a boy or girl

Question 2

Stage two

Answer 2

Gender stability
By age four children realise gender is permanent but cannot understand that others gender is also permanent

Question 3

Stage three

Answer 3

Gender constancy
By age six children realise that everyone’s gender remains constant

Question 4

Strength of kohlbergs theory - research support

Answer 4

Slaby and Frey (1975)
Interviewed 55 children aged 2-5.5 asking questions such as is this doll a boy or a girl whilst changing their appearances to be more or less gender stereotypical

Question 5

Limitation systematic errors

Answer 5

The children were 2-3 so mag have lacked an adequate understanding of gender in order to produce accurate results
They also may have lacked the vocabulary to express their views, creating the false impression of understanding
Stages of gender development research is biased and lacks ecological validity

Question 6

Biological determinism and reductionism

Answer 6

Emphasis was placed on neurodevelopment or gen in the child- trigger transitions between stages
Ignores social influences which may affect the extent to which each child identifies with a specific gender
-kohlbergs theory may not be considered as universal

Question 7

Piagets theory

Answer 7

An alternative but closely linked explanation
Egocentrism is the tendency of a pre operational child to recall events from their own view and focus on their perspective
Gender identity can be explained through egocentrism as the child cannot take on the perspective of others to understand their own identity too