Gender - Kohlberg's Cognitive Developmental Theory

Question 0

Gender labelling

Answer 0

2-3. Children label themslelves and others only considering outward appearance, which adjusts as appearances change. Piaget called this “pre-operational” and it lacks consistent internal logic

Question 1

A01

Answer 1

Gender constancy theory - empathises the role of thinking in the process of development

Question 2

Gender stabilising

Support from McConaghy

Answer 2

Age 4. Children recognise that gender is consistent, although across different situations a child may think that a man engaging in female activities is a woman.
Under the age of seven, they are still swayed by outward appearances.

Children shown line drawing of a doll with male genitals visible through dress. Those under 5 judged the doll to be female despite this.

Question 3

Gender consistency

Answer 3

Age 6. Develop full gender constancy, learn about gender-appropriate behaviour, when this info was not relevant before

Question 4

Thompson et al

Answer 4

Evidence for age of gender labelling
2YOs 76% correct in identifying their own sex
3YOs 90% correct
Increasing ability to label self

Question 5

Slaby and Frey

Answer 5

“were you a little girl or boy when you were a baby?”
Children did not recognise that traits were stable over time until they were 3 or 4 (support for stability)

“If you played football would you be a boy or a girl?”
Those who scored highly on both stability and consistency showed greatest interest in same sex models

Increasing sense of constancy leads children to pay more attention to gender appropriate models, furthering gender development

Question 6

Criticisms 
Adjustments?
Gender bias?
Power?
Langlois and Downs

Answer 6

Slaby and Frey - consistency appeared at a younger age than predicted - adjustments need to be made
Boys developed quicker than girls - Huston et al - easier to get girls to do boy activities
The role models that boys identify with are more powerful. Girls are less likely to identify with their own role model because they are less powerful
Bys are more likely to be punished for inappropriate behaviour so are learning appropriate behaviour quicker (langlois and downs)