Kohlberg’s cognitive stage theory

• What does Kohlberg's cognitive stage theory of gender suggest?

  Understanding of gender develops through three stages
• What are the three stages of Kohlberg's cognitive stage theory of gender?

  1. Gender Identity (ages 2-3)
  2. Gender Stability (ages 4-5)
  3. Gender Constancy (age 6 and above)
• At what age does a child develop Gender Identity according to Kohlberg?

  Age 2-3
• What can children identify during the Gender Identity stage?

  They can identify their own and others' gender
• How do children perceive gender during the Gender Identity stage?

  Based purely on physical appearance
• What age range corresponds to the Gender Stability stage?

  Age 4-5
• What do children learn during the Gender Stability stage?

  Gender is stable over time
• What confusion do children still have during the Gender Stability stage?

  They think gender changes with appearance
• At what age do children reach Gender Constancy?

  Age 6 and above
• What do children understand about gender during the Gender Constancy stage?

  Gender remains the same despite changes
• What are children ready to learn about during the Gender Constancy stage?

  Gender-appropriate behaviors
• What evidence supports Kohlberg's stage theory of gender?

  • Slaby and Frey's research
  • Tested gender identity, stability, and constancy
  • Confirmed ages for understanding gender
• How did Slaby and Frey test gender identity?

  By asking children their gender
• What did Slaby and Frey ask to test gender stability?

  What gender they were as children
• How was gender constancy tested in Slaby and Frey's study?

  By asking about clothing and toys
• What did the results of Slaby and Frey's study confirm?

  Kohlberg's predicted ages for gender understanding
• What does Kohlberg's theory suggest about cognitive development and gender understanding?

  Cognitive development explains gender understanding
• What is a weakness of Kohlberg's stage theory of gender?

  • It is reductionist
  • Ignores biological factors
  • Focuses solely on cognitive development
• What example challenges Kohlberg's cognitive stage theory?

  The Batista boys' case
• What happened to the Batista boys at puberty?

  They developed male genitalia
• What does the Batista boys' case suggest about gender development?

  Chromosomes influence gender development
• What chromosomal pattern did the Batista boys have?

  XY chromosomes
• How were the Batista boys raised initially?

  As girls due to their appearance
• What did the Batista boys' experience support regarding gender development?

  That chromosomes explain gender development