Kohlberg's theory of gender

• kohlbergs theory 1966

  based on the idea that a Childs understanding of gender becomes more sophisticated with age

  understanding of gender runs parallel to intellectual development as the child matures biologically

  gender development- 3 stages
• stage one

  gender identity

  aged 2

  child can correctly identify themselves as a boy or girl

  approx 3 child can identify others as male or female

  understanding doesn't go beyond simple labelling

  not aware sex is permanent e.g 21/2 year old boy may say when I grow up I will be a mummy
• stage 2

  gender stability

  aged 4

  Child understands they will always stay the same gender

  cannot apply same logic to others and maybe confused by external changes in appearance e,g a man with long hair may be a women

  may believe change sex if engage in activities more associated with the opposite gender e.g a male nurse is a woman
• stage 3

  gender constancy

  final stage happens approx 6/7 years

  children recognise gender remains constant and consistent across time and situations

  understanding is applies to other peoples gender aswell

  no longer fooled by outward changes in appearance
• imitation of role models

  children 6/7 begin to seek out gender appropriate role models to identify with and imitate

  start to behave in gender appropriate ways

  connects closely either SLT
• strengths research support

  slaby and frey 1975

  children presented with split screen images of males and females preforming same tasks

  longer children - more time watching both sexes

  children in gender constancy stage spend longer looking at same sex role model
• strengths

  holistic- combines social learning and biological developmental factors
• weakness research

  constancy not supported

  Bussey and Bandura 1992

  children as young as 4 reported feeling good about playing with gender appropriate toys and bad about doing the opposite
• weakness

  theory concentrates on cognitive factors and overlooks important cultural and social factors such as influence of parents and peers

  maily descriptive lacking depth of explanation

  methodological issues- children don't have the vocab or understanding to report even if they have a complex ideas about gender