Cognitive explanations of gender

• What is kohlbergs cognitive explanation for gender?

  Kohlberg suggested that children construct an understanding of gender (our own and those around us) during childhood this is then refined by brain maturation as metal processes develop, suggesting our understanding of gender is influenced by both nature and nurture.
• What are the stages of kohlbergs gender theory?

  The first stage of kohlbergs theory of gender development is gender labelling (2-3 years old) during which children understand what gender terms e.g. boy and girl mean, and what behaviours and characteristics they are associated with. Secondly, gender stability (3-5 years old) where children learn that gender remaining consistent over time. Finally, gender constancy (6 years old) is where they understand that gender remains consistent across different situations.
• When does kohlberg believe children start learning gender appropriate behaviour?


  According to kohlbergs theory, observation and imitation of gender appropriate behaviour can only occur after gender consistency has been acquired.
• What are the strengths of kohlbergs gender theory?

  slaby + Frey 1975 conducted a correlational study asking 55 children aged 2-5 questions about gender to test their gender labelling, stability, and consistency, and then comparing this to how much the children payed attention to adults of the same gender. Results showed that children could only answer either gender labelling questions alone, gender labelling and stability, or all three. Supporting kohlbergs theory of each stage happening in an order. They also found a positive correlation between understanding gender consistency, and the amount of attention payed to adults of the same gender. Supporting kohlbergs idea that observation and imitation of behaviour can only occur after gender consistency has been acquired.
• What are the weaknesses of kohlbergs theory?

  Slaby and Frey used self report techniques - may lack internal validity as children could misunderstand the question or give silly answers

  
  

  Varying age at which children reach each stage - slaby and Frey found some children as young as 3.5 years old had acquired gender constancy, and some children as old as 5 years old had only just started using gender labels correctly.

  
  

  Contrasting research from Bauer found that males imitate stereotypical behaviour earlier than girls.