Cognitive Explanations of Gender Development

Objectives To be able to describe Kohlberg’s stages in gender development. To be able to give examples of each stage To be able to evaluate Kohlberg’s theory of gender development

Overview of Kohlberg’s of Cognitive Development A cognitive Explanation focusing on how children develop an understanding of gender and how this shapes gender role behaviours. A stage theory with three stages linked to age and with each stage their understanding becoming more complex. Gender identity Gender stability Gender Constancy The understanding that gender is fixed comes at stage three. It is here that gender role behaviours develop At the third stage the child becomes highly motivated to conform to gender stereotypes. After the age of 4 ½ they start to pay attention to same sex role models. Overview of Kohlberg’s of Cognitive Development

Age Stage The child can……… The child cannot……

Is Kohlberg’s theory more nature or nurture? Starter Is Kohlberg’s theory more nature or nurture?

Evaluation of Kohlberg’s Gender Schema Theory Gender constancy is supported by Slaby and Frey Gender stability is supported by Slaby and Frey The age of gender labelling is supported by research Does not explain gender differences in gender constancy Research challenges the idea that gender constancy is necessary for gender role behaviour to be displayed

Questions 1. Outline the difference between sex and gender. (4) 2. Outline the role of chromosomes and hormones in the development of sex and gender. (6) 3. Give one fully PEELED evaluation of BSRI (4)

Question Each foetus has 23 pairs of chromosomes with one in each pair inherited from the mother and one from the father. The sex chromosomes determine the biological sex of the foetus.(1) If the foetus inherits an X from mother and father it will be a girl but if a Y chromosome is inherited from the father it will develop into a male (1) At first the genitals of the foetus will appear female and it is not until around the ninth week after conception that the Y chromosomes triggers the release of testosterone in the male. (1)This will cause the male genitalia to develop. Testosterone is released from the gonads and will affect the development of a penis and testes and also affects brain development. In the male testosterone triggers enlargement of the sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN)(1)It is the absence of testosterone that causes the development of female genitalia and also means the SDN will be smaller in females. The SDN is thought to affect sexual behaviour and causes males to adopt a more dominant sexual stance such as mounting behaviour. (1) This can also influence lateralisation in the brain with research showing females are less lateralised in language than males. (1). The influence of prenatal hormones is important as exposure to high levels of testosterone in a XX foetus can influence behaviour and increase rough and tumble play and insensitivity to testosterone in the XY foetus can cause the male external genitalia to resemble a female.

Are the following activities suitable for girls or boys or either sex? Horse riding Yoga Pottery Cooking Skipping Football Physics Art Violin piano

Gender Schema Theory What is a schema? So what is a gender schema?

Developed by Martin and Halveson to demonstrate how social influences help children to understand what is appropriate for their gender. In agreement with Kohlberg – core gender identity is developed around the age of 2-3 years A child develops an ingroup and outgroup based on their gender. Behaviours associated with their own sex are seen as an ingroup and those based on the opposite sex are the outgroup. A child develops an understanding of gender appropriate behaviours through observation. This information is added to their schema

Starter Gender identity disorder is a recognised psychiatric condition where a person identifies with the opposite gender. Can you explain how cognitive theories such as Kohlberg’s and gender schema could explain this condition?

Gender Schema Theory 2-3 years a basic schema based on girls and boys. In-group and Out-group ideas are developed. As soon as they are aware of this it shapes their understanding of gender. As soon as gender identity occurs the child actively seeks out information that fits into their schema. Boys pay attention to male behaviour and focus on male toys and activities and girls will do the same. As the child develops the gender schema becomes less fixed and more complex

Research Complete the sheet with suitable evaluation for gender schema theory. You should top each of these research studies.

Gender Schema Theory Kohlberg’s Constancy Theory Gender Schema Theory

Gender Schema Theory Kohlberg’s Constancy Theory Gender Schema Theory Child is active and seeks out information about gender Starts with a concept (male or female) and then child turns into information processor The development of gender role behaviours takes place at constancy stage Can not explain differences in males and females The development of gender role and taking notice of same sex models occurs as soon as the child has sex identity. Can explain the differences in males and females better.

Questions 1. Outline Kohlberg’s cognitive theory of gender development (4) 2. According the GST Gender labelling (identity) occurs around the age f 2-3 is this consistent with Kohlberg’s views? (1) 4. Identify one difference between GST and Kohlber’s theory of gender development (2) 3. How do you think cognitive theories of gender development explain gender dysphoria? (discussion point)

Social Learning Theory Gender Development

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