Kohlberg's theory

• Gender Identity


  A child recognises that they are a boy/girl and possesses the ability to label others as such.
• Gender Stability


  Happens around age 4. A child understand their own gender is fixed and will continue as they grow.
• Gender constancy 


  Usually reached by age 6 or 7. Children identify with their own gender and behave in stereotypically gendered ways.
• Kohlberg's theory is based on the idea that a child's understanding of gender becomes more sophisticated with age, as a result of biological maturation. He believed that gender progressed through three stages in the same order, however the ages were approximate.
• Gender Identity


  Age 2-3 years. The child learns what gender they are, and recognises the gender of others based on their physical appearances.
• Gender Stability 


  Age 3-7 years. The child learns gender is fixed but they don't realise that it stays the same over situations.
• Gender Constancy


  Age 7-12 years. Children fully understand gender and are ready to learn about gender-appropriate behaviours (which differ due to cultural differences). Children begin to identify with those of the same gender.
• Gender Constancy developed from Piaget's theories of egocentrism and conservation. His studies demonstrate that children under the age of 7 do not understand that objects remain the same even if they change shape. Furthermore, they are unable to see situations from the perspective of another (egocentrism).
• Strength - Research Support

  Damon (1977) told children a story of a boy playing with dolls. When asked to comment, children aged 4 said that it was fine, whereas children aged 6 said it was wrong. These children had developed gender stereotypes, which suggests children who achieve gender constancy do form rigid stereotypes regarding gender-appropriate behaviour.
• Strength - support from the biological approach


  Kohlberg's stages are influenced by changes to the brain and increased cognitive ability. The stages are universal, which supports the fact that it is to do with biological maturation.
• Limitation - methodology

  Bem (1989) criticised research support for Kohlberg's theory, arguing the tests relied on children identifying men and women through clothes + hairstyles. When Bem showed children naked images instead, she found 40% of children ages 3-5yrs demonstrated gender constancy. This suggests the typical way of testing gender constancy may misrepresent what younger children know.
• Limitation - degrees of constancy

  Martin et al (2002) suggested there may be different degrees of constancy. For example, an initial degree developing before 6yrs may orient children to the importance of gender, with a later degree heightening their responsiveness to gender norms. This suggests the acquisition of constancy may be a more gradual or earlier process than Kohlberg though.
• Limitation - Social-cognitive theories of gender

  Bussey + Bandura's (1999) study suggests children begin to absorb gender-appropriate information as soon as they develop gender identity. Their social-cognitive theory of gender focuses on social processes (such as observation, imitation + identification), suggesting that they play a more influential role in gender development than cognitive structures.