kohlbergs theory

• gender identity 2-3. able to label themselves as boy/ girl. do not understand that gender is fixed. can label others based on appearances but changes in appearance can confuse them therefore incorrect labelling
• gender stability age 3-5 understand that their own gender is fixed over time and situations but does not understand that others is often confused by external changes in appearance
• gender constancy age 6 they have complete understanding of gender and choose appropriate role model to imitate. no longer confused by external changes in appearance but may find it unusual. understands bio differences and that all gender is fixed and constant throughout time and situations
• +research support Kohlberg’s stage theory of gender development. Thompson 1975 tested a group of children aged two and three on their ability to identify their gender and the gender of others correctly. Thompson found that the older children could correctly identify genders more often than the younger children, suggesting that this skill develops between these two age groups. findings support theory that gender development progress with age, as older children could correctly identify gender more often than younger. therefore valid
• Slaby and Frey 1975 tested children aged 2-5 on their level of gender development. found children with higher levels of gender consistency were more likely to seek out same-sex role models tracking the eye movement watching role-models. Older children were more likely to show higher levels of gender constancy.suggest that cognitive processes underlie behaviour as children’s level of gender development dictated how long they spent looking at same sex role models. like Thompson 1975 these findings suggest children’s gender development progresses with age, as predicted by Kohlberg.
• Kohlberg’s theory methodological problems. Bem 1989 points out that the main way children are assessed for constancy. Younger children can be easily confused deciding the gender of someone, as they have to decide this based on clothes and hairstyles. Bem argues the best way to decide someone's gender is to look at physical differences. 40% children aged 3-5 constancy if they were shown a naked photo of the child to be identified first before then seeing them clothed. Bem’s findings undermine Kohlberg’s theory suggest that children are more capable of showing gender constancy at a much earlier
• supporting evidence Munroe et al. 1984 cross cultural research. The researchers found children across multiple cultures showed signs of progressing through the stages Kohlberg described. These findings not only reflect the strong contribution of cognitive development to the growth of gender understanding but that they happen outside of the influence of culture. This is an important finding because it suggests that the biological maturation of the child influences their cognitive development. This would support the biological aspect of Kohlberg’s theory of development.