Cognitive explanation

• Liben and Bigler

  • built on the Gender Schema Theory
  • dual pathway
  • first pathway is regular gender development - when the individual has identified gender they seek gender appropriate behaviours
  • second personal pathway
  • personal interest overtake gender identity in importance
  • if this becomes more important than the in-group scheme
  • most individuals will become androgynous, maintaining an interest in both
  • but some individuals will develop gender dysphoria - interests mainly aligned with the opposite gender
• Limitations

  • lacks evidence
  • there is no evidence supporting this explanation
  • very theoretical
  • not falsifiable = hard to determine validity
  • description not explanation
  • only explains how it happens not why
  • incomplete and lacking usefulness