Kohlberg

• Kohlbergs theory states that as a child develops biologically, their brain becomes capable of understanding gender in more complex ways. This happens in 3 stages.
• Stage 1 - Gender Identity

  By age 2, most children can correcly identify their own biological sex. By age 3, most can also correctly recall whether others are male or female. However they may not be aware that gender is fixed for anyone.
• Stage 2 - Gender Stability


  Around age 4, children realise their own gender is fixed but don't usually understand the same about others. If a persons appearance changes they may believe their gender has also changed
• Stage 3 - Gender Constancy

  At age 6, children understand all gender is fixed for everyone at all situations, so changes in appearance no longer cause confusion about a persons gender. Children begin to associate same sex models and imitate them, and therefore start to demonstrate expected gender role behaviours.
• A strength of this theory is evidence supporting Kohlbergs theory. In one study, children aged 2-5 were asked 'when you grow up will you be a mummy or a daddy?' It was found children aged 4 and over gave the answer that matched their own gender more frequently than those under 4. Suggests gender stability develops around age 4.
• Limitations of Kohlbergs Theory:

  • Kohlbergs theory may underestimate what children really understand about gender at a young age . Younger children may not have the necessary vocabulary to explain to Kohlberg what they actually knew.
  • This theory is criticised for being more of a description of the changes rather than an explanation of why the changes occur.