Gender development Flashcards
(20 cards)
Who is the main theorist in understanding gender differences?
Kohlberg (1966): gender develops through distainct stages (labelling, stability , consistency)
What are the 3 main components of understanding gender?
- Gender labelling
- Gender stability
- Gender consistency
What is gender labelling?
the process of categorizing individuals, including oneself, as either male or female, or other gender identities
What is gender stability?
the understanding that people’s gender remains consistent over time, even though their appearance or activities might change
What is gender consistency ?
the understanding that a person’s gender is permanent and does not change regardless of their appearance or activities
What is Stage 1 of gender development according to Kohlberg’s theory?
- 2-3.5 years
- Children can label their own gender and others’
- They do not understand that gender is constant over time or that it remains the same despite changes in appearance (e.g., wearing different clothes).
What is stage 2 of gender development according to Kohlberg’s theory?
- 3.5 - 4.5 years
- Partial understanding that gender constant over time: durability of gender.
- Still not understanding gender constancy over changes in physical appearance.
What is stage 3 of gender development according to Kohlberg’s theory?
- 4.5 - 7 years
- Gender constant even though temporarily change superficial aspects of physical appearance
What are gender roles and stereotypes?
Beliefs about what is appropriate or typical for one’s own or the other gender group
What are some expectations about gender stereotypes?
Personality (e.g. assertiveness vs sensitivity)
Occupations (e.g. builder vs nurse)
Pastimes (e.g. playing football vs playing with dolls)
Behaviour (e.g. being loud vs being nurturing)
what age do children show rigid gender stereotypes, and how do they view the world?
by age 3, looking at the world in a very gender-stereotyped fashion. strongly associate certain traits and behaviours with each gender
How do young children view gendered characteristics during early development?
- They believe gendered traits are defining features of being a boy or girl
- Traits are not seen as preferences or tendencies, but as essential to one’s gender
What did Blakemore (2003) study about gender stereotypes in young children?
Studied 3- to 4-year-olds
Compared stereotype-consistent vs stereotype-inconsistent situations
Topics included:Hair, clothing, toys, Adult occupations, activities, play styles
Physically based roles (e.g., mummy, daddy)
How did Blakemore (2003) measure children’s understanding of gender stereotypes?
- measured children’s knowledge of gender stereotypes
- Beliefs about whether it is possible to violate those stereotypes
What did Blakemore (2003) find?
- 3 year olds had some knowledge of gender roles
- Awareness that norm violation possible - over half 3-4 year olds say no
Why is flexibility important for gender stereotyping?
shows that children understand that gender is not rigidly tied to specific roles
As seen in middle childhood, they believe: Both males and females can share traits (e.g., kindness, bravery) and engage in similar activities
Influence of parents on gender development
- Parents view children in gender-stereotypic ways and stereotype children more than adults
- create gender-stereotypical environments
-Toys, bedroom, decor - expectations, behaviour they encourage
What is the cognitive development theory?
Cognitive changes in the way children understand the world and themselves
- these affect gender role behaviour & stereotyping
- explain developmental trends
What are some criticisms of of the scoail learning apprach
- assumes children adopt gender roles/learn about streotypes through observation, imitation, reinforcement
- doesnt explain developmental changes
What is the gender schema theory?
Bem (1981), explores how children internalize and organize information about gender roles and expectations based on their cultural context.
