kohlbergys theory of gender development

Question 1

kohlbergs 3 stages of gender development

Answer 1

suggested that children mature through 3 stages of gender development
1- gender labelling
2- gender stability
3- gender constancy

Question 2

gender labelling

Answer 2

children can correctly label themselves and others as a man or woman. they have developed basic schemas of sterotypical male and female behaviour

Question 3

gender stability

Answer 3

children understand that gender is stable across time but theres no understanding that gender remains stable across situations

Question 4

gender constancy

Answer 4

children understand that gender is stable across bothe time and situations- this is because they’ve understood the concept of conservation. this is where they realise that gender remains stable despite changes in outward appearance

Question 5

research supporting kohlberg from

Answer 5

research supporting kohlbergs theory of development found that behaviours displayed by children did correspond to kohlbergs 3 stages. for instance children in the gender stability stage paid more attention to same sex role models which is in line with kohlbergs idea that children will seek evidence that reinforces their ideas on gender after they realise gender is constant

Question 6

research underminings kohlbergs theory on the ages

Answer 6

however the same study that supports the theory suggested that gender constancy happened earlier than the age of 7. suggesting that kohlbergy overestimated the age for the stages.

Question 7

overall eval of research into kohlbergs theory:

Answer 7

overall the research supports for kohlbergs theory suggests it has strong internal validity but nonetheless must have come across systematic errors when creating the theory as the ages dont always match the stage

Question 8

how is it arguable that kohlbergs theory is biologically determinist

Answer 8

— Kohlberg’s stages of gender development and identity suffers from biological determinism as well as biological reductionism. This is because
Kohlberg placed great emphasis on neurodevelopmental changes in the child, biological in origin, which were said to trigger
transitions between the different stages.

Question 9

what other influences does kohlbergs theoty ignore

Answer 9

The theory also ignores the social influences, an example of determinism, which may affect the extent to
which each child identifies with a specific gender; e.g. the parents’ own gender identity, media portrayals of gender ideals. Therefore, Kohlberg’s theory may not be considered universal

Question 10

suggest An alternative explanation for gender development

Answer 10

— An alternative explanation for gender development would be Piaget’s theory of intellectual development.
Egocentrism is the
tendency of a pre-operational child to recall events from their own view and focus on their own perspective.

Question 11

how can egocentrism explain gender development

Answer 11

Therefore, gender identity can be
explained through egocentrism, as the child cannot take on the perspective of others to understand their gender identity too.