Kohlberg's Cognitive Explanation

• What do cognitive explanations focus on regarding gender development?

  They focus on the thinking behind gender development
• How does the cognitive approach view gender identity development?

  As part of an innate process shaped by experience
• How many universal stages does Kohlberg's theory propose for gender development?

  Three universal stages
• What is the nature of the transition between Kohlberg's stages?

  It is sequential and gradual
• At what age can children usually identify their gender?

  At age 2
• What can most children identify by age 3?

  Other people or pictures as male or female
• How do children’s understanding of gender at age 3 tend to be characterized?

  Limited to external appearance
• What do children at age 3 not understand about sex?

  That it is permanent
• At what age do children realize they will always remain the same sex?

  At age 4
• What do children find difficult to apply to others at age 4?

  The logic of gender consistency over time
• How do children perceive others' gender at age 4?

  Dominated by external appearance
• What do children think about gender changes at age 4?

  People change gender based on activities
• Around what age do children recognize gender constancy?

  Around age 6
• What do children understand about gender by age 6?

  It remains constant across time and situations
• How are children affected by changes to outward appearance by age 6?

  They are no longer affected
• What does Kohlberg believe children do after discovering their gender?

  They actively seek out role models
• According to Kohlberg, how do children learn gender-appropriate behavior?

  By identifying with role models
• What percentage of 2-year-olds correctly labeled their gender according to Thompson?

  76%
• What percentage of 3-year-olds correctly labeled their gender according to Thompson?

  90%
• What did McConaghy's study reveal about children's judgment of gender?

  Children under 5 judged based on appearance
• What does McConaghy's study support about gender identity and stability?

  Children under 5 are dominated by outward appearance
• What evidence suggests boys exhibit gender constancy before girls?

  Some evidence indicates boys learn faster
• Why might boys learn gender-appropriate behavior more quickly than girls?

  They are more likely punished for inappropriate behavior
• What issue arises from Kohlberg's assessment method?

  Children may lack vocabulary to express understanding
• What does a lack of expression in children indicate according to the evaluation?

  It does not indicate a lack of understanding
• What recent evidence suggests about the age of gender constancy?

  It may occur younger than Kohlberg suggested
• What factors might influence the earlier age of gender constancy today?

  The internet and social media influences
• What does the lack of temporal validity in Kohlberg's explanation suggest?

  It may not apply to current generations