Cognitive Explanation: Kohlberg

• Cognitive Explanations of gender

  kid's mental understanding of gender becomes sophisticated with age
• Kohlberg's theory

  understanding gender develops in sequential stages
• 3 stages

  1. gender identity
  2. gender stability
  3. gender constancy

  • imitation of role models
• Gender Identity

  2-3 years old - understand gender based on physical appearance and unaware that sex is permanent
• Gender Stability

  3-4 years old - aware sex is the same in time but unaware it's the same in situations; confused about physical eg hair length and clothes
• Gender Constancy

  6 years old - aware gender remains consistent in time and situations; understands biological differences
• Imitation of role models

  seeking gender-appropriate role to identify and imitate; social-learning theory; active search for evidence that confirms internalised concept
• Limitation - Methodology


  interviews for gender identity stage (2-3 years old) - their lack of vocabulary means they could have complex ideas on gender but aren't verbally articulate therefore unrepresentative
• Support - research

  Slaby & Frey 1975 = gender constancy kids were focused more on the model of same sex - proves that kids in this stage will begin to actively seek gender-appropriate role models therefore the beginning of imitating role models