Kohlbergs theory of gender development

Question 1

Stages in development

Answer 1

Childs understanding of gender develops with age due to biological maturation
3 stages, progress gradually

Question 2

Stage 1: Gender identity

Answer 2

2 years, correctly identify themselves as boy/girl
3 years, identify others as boy/girl, but do not view gender as fixed, e.g. young boy may say he will grow up to be a “mummy”

Question 3

Stage 2: Gender stability

Answer 3

4 years, realisation will always be same gender but can’t yet apply this to others
Confused by others changes in appearance, e.g. describe man with long hair as woman
Believe people change gender if do opposite sex activities

Question 4

Stage 3: Gender constancy

Answer 4

6 years, recognise gender fixed across time and situations and can apply to others
No longer fooled by changes in appearance
Seek out gender appropriate role models to identify and imitate
Tendency towards gender stereotyping starts at this age

Question 5

Evaluation of Kohlbergs theory

Answer 5

Research support- evidence suggests stereotyping does emerge at 6, Damon told story of boy who liked to play with dolls then asked children to comment on story. 4 year olds said fine for George to play with dolls, 6 year olds thought it was wrong. However, Bussey and Bandura found young children as young as 4 report feeling good when play with gender appropriate toys but bad when not

Methodological problem- Bem criticised assesing gender through changes in appearance when thats how we assess gender as a culture. 40% of children 3-5 identified gender of naked person, gender constancy testing may misrepresent what children actually know

Degrees of constancy- May be different degrees of gender constancy, Martin suggests initial degree may orient children to importance of gender e.g. in choosing friends and occurs under 6, second degree of constancy may heighten response to gender norms, acquiring constancy may be gradual and begin earlier than Kohlberg