Kohlberg’s Theory

• What is the basis of Kohlberg's cognitive-developmental theory of gender?

  Children's understanding of gender matures with age
• How does Kohlberg's theory relate brain maturation to gender understanding?


  Thinking matures as the brain matures
• What are the three stages of Gender Development according to Kohlberg?

  1. Gender Identity
  2. Gender Stability
  3. Gender Constancy
• At what age does Gender Identity occur?

  Between 2 - 3 years old
• What can children identify during the Gender Identity stage?

  Own and others' sex based on appearance
• How do children view sex during the Gender Identity stage?

  Not as fixed over time and situations
• At what age does Gender Stability occur?

  At 4 years old
• What do children understand about their own sex during the Gender Stability stage?

  It is stable over time, but not situations
• How do children apply their understanding of gender during the Gender Stability stage?

  They do not apply it to other people
• At what age does Gender Constancy occur?

  Between 6 - 7 years old
• What realization do children have during the Gender Constancy stage?

  Sex remains fixed over time and situations
• What behavior do children exhibit during the Gender Constancy stage?

  They seek gender-appropriate role models
• What research supports Kohlberg's theory of gender development?

  • Damon (1977) study with children
  • 4-year-olds accepted boys with dolls
  • 6-year-olds rejected boys with dolls
• What conclusion can be drawn from Damon's study?

  Children with constancy form rigid stereotypes
• What did Bussey & Bandura (1999) find about children's feelings towards gender-appropriate toys?

  • Children as young as 4 felt good with appropriate toys
  • They felt bad with opposite-gender toys
• How does Bussey & Bandura's research contradict Kohlberg's theory?

  Interest in gender-appropriate behavior starts earlier
• What criticism did Bem (1989) have regarding gender constancy studies?

  • Methodology confuses children
  • Gender is often distinguished by appearance
• What did Bem demonstrate about children aged 3 - 5 in her study?

  40% showed constancy with naked photos
• What do Martin et al (2002) suggest about gender constancy?

  • Recognition of gender guides thoughts and behavior
  • Acquisition may be gradual and start earlier
• What is unclear about the understanding of gender constancy according to Martin et al (2002)?

  When and how it affects behavior
• What do Martin et al (2002) propose about the degrees of gender constancy?

  There may be different degrees affecting responsiveness
• What is a limitation for Kohlberg’s Theory?

  Degrees of Constancy

  • Martin et al (2002) praise Kohlberg’s theory for recognising that children’s understanding of gender guides their thoughts and behaviour, however it is unclear when and how this understanding affects children’s behaviour
  • Martin et al (2002) suggest that there may be different degrees of gender constancy, in which an initial degree may orient children to the importance of gender, whereas a second degree of constancy may heighten children’s responsiveness to gender norms
  • This suggests that the acquisition of constancy may be a more gradual process and may begin earlier than Kohlberg thought
• What is a limitation for Kohlberg’s Theory?

  Methodological Problem

  • Bem (1989) criticised the methodology used in many studies of the link between gender and cognitive development, as culturally, we distinguish gender through appearance, and so it is no wonder why children are confused by this
  • Bem demonstrated that 40% of children aged 3 - 5 were able to demonstrate constancy if they were shown a naked photo of the child that was to be identified
  • This suggests that the typical way of testing gender constancy may misrepresent what younger children actually know
• What is a limitation for Kohlberg’s Theory?

  Contradicting Research

  • Other research challenges the idea that an interest in gender-appropriate behaviour only develops around 6
  • Bussey & Bandura (1999) found that children as young as 4 ‘felt good‘ playing with gender-appropriate toys, and ‘felt bad’ playing with the opposite
  • This contradicts Kohlberg’s theory, but may support the gender schema theory
• What is a strength for Kohlberg’s Theory?

  Research Support

  • Damon (1977) told children a story of a boy who liked playing with dolls, in which the children were asked to comment on the story
  • 4-year-olds said it was fine for the boy to play with dolls if he wanted to, whereas 6-year-olds thought it was wrong
  • This would suggest that children who have, as predicted, achieved constancy have formed rigid stereotypes regarding gender-appropriate behaviour