1. How does a cognitive psychologist understand thinking and behaviour? What might a cognitive psychologist say about gender differences? psychlotron.org.uk

2. Overheard (3 year olds) What do the things that young children say reveal about their understanding of and thinking about gender? psychlotron.org.uk

3. Cognitive dev’tal theory Emphasises environmental factors Thinking and understanding, not just observation & imitation Stages of development – thinking about gender alters at each stage psychlotron.org.uk

4. Cognition and gender Labelling ‘Girl’ Self perception ‘I’m a girl.’ Organisation ‘What do girls do?’ Motivation ‘I like doing girl things because I’m a girl!’ psychlotron.org.uk

5. Gender development stages Gender identity (about 2 years) Ability to correctly label self Gender stability (about 4 years) Recognition that own gender will not change Gender constancy (by 7 years) Recognition that gender is independent of clothing/hair etc. psychlotron.org.uk

6. Exploring gender concepts Are you a boy or a girl? When you were a baby, were you a boy or a girl? When you grow up, will you be a mummy or a daddy? If you wore (e.g. a dress) would you be a girl? psychlotron.org.uk

7. Damon (1977) Child PPs of 4, 6 & 9yrs were told a story about ‘George’, who liked to play with dolls. They were asked whether it was OK, should be allowed etc. How do you think the children answered at different ages? Why? psychlotron.org.uk

8. Main issues Descriptive not explanatory – says what happens, not why SLT provides a better account of children’s motivation for selecting & conforming to gender categories Poor at explaining individual differences & change over time psychlotron.org.uk