Kohlberg's theory

Question 1

Kohlberg’s theory

Answer 1

Maturation explains why a child moves from one stage to the next

Question 2

Stages of development

Answer 2

Driven by maturation of the brain, similar to Piaget

Question 3

What are the three stages of development

Answer 3

1. Gender identity
2. Gender stability
3. Gender constancy

Question 4

Gender identity

Answer 4

2 years old
- Children are correctly able to identify themselves as a boy or girl

3 years old
- most children are able to identify other people as boys/men or girls/women
- Don’t view gender as fixed

Question 5

Gender stability

Answer 5

4 years old
- Realisation that they will always stay the same gender
- Often describe a man who has long hair as a women
- They also believe that people change gender if they engage in activities that are more often associated with a different gender

Question 6

Gender constancy

Answer 6

6 years old
- Children recognise that gender remains constant across time and situations
- Imitate gender appropriate role models
- Emerged gender stereotyping

Question 7

Kohlberg’s theory evaluation points- Research support

Answer 7

STRENGTH

• Researchers asked children Can George play with dolls?
• 4 year olds said OK
• 6 year olds said NOT ok
  (Damon)

Question 8

Kohlberg’s theory evaluation points- Research support counterpoint

Answer 8

LIMITATION

Children absorb gender-appropriate behaviour at gender identity stage
(Bussey and Bandura)

Question 9

Kohlberg’s theory evaluation points- Methodological problems

Answer 9

LIMITATION

Children aged 3-5 show constancy if first see child with no clothes, then stereotypically gender-inappropriate clothing doesn’t fool them
(Bem)

Question 10

Kohlberg’s theory evaluation points- Degrees of constancy

Answer 10

LIMITATION

First degree before 6 (seeking gender information), second degree later
(Martin et al)