Cognitive Approach to Gender
The cognitive theory of gender:
Focuses on thinking behind gender development.
Need to look at mental processing.
Two theories:
-Kohlberg's cognitive development theory.
-Gender schema theory.
Cognitive Approach:
Considers development of thought patterns and cognitions.
Childs perception of gender is crucial for acquisition of gender.
Series of developmental steps or stages that a child goes through before their perception of gender is fully developed.
Kohlberg's cognitive development theory:
Child actively participates in developing an understanding of gender and gender-appropriate behaviour through gender identity.
Childrens discovery that they are male or female causes them to identify with their own sex. (Opposite to social learning theory).
Childrens minds develop in set stages linked generally with their age, so as child's cognitive abilities develop - so does its understanding of gender.
3 universal stages of development:
Egocentrism;
Childs inability to see a situation from another persons point of view.
Conservation;
Ability to understand that the properties of an object stay the same even if the appearance changes. Gender is a constant attribute.
Kohlberg (1966) Gender Constancy Theory:
Gender labelling: 2-3.5 years old. Label gender based on appearance.
Gender stability; 3.5-4.5 years. Gender is consistent over time but not across situations. Appearance still a fact.
Gender consistency; 6 years. Gender is constant over time and situations. Gender appropriate behaviour.
The theory does not explain gender dysphoria.
Ignores biological approach.
Gender Labelling.
2-3 years; doesn't take into account before birth.
Children able to say their sex.
Label others based on their sex.
No understanding that sex is stable across time.
Fooled by outward appearance.
Unable to conserve.
2.Gender Stability.
3-4 years.
Understand their own sex is stable and changing their appearance does not change what they feel
Focuses on thinking behind gender development.
Need to look at mental processing.
Two theories:
-Kohlberg's cognitive development theory.
-Gender schema theory.
Cognitive Approach:
Considers development of thought patterns and cognitions.
Childs perception of gender is crucial for acquisition of gender.
Series of developmental steps or stages that a child goes through before their perception of gender is fully developed.
Kohlberg's cognitive development theory:
Child actively participates in developing an understanding of gender and gender-appropriate behaviour through gender identity.
Childrens discovery that they are male or female causes them to identify with their own sex. (Opposite to social learning theory).
Childrens minds develop in set stages linked generally with their age, so as child's cognitive abilities develop - so does its understanding of gender.
3 universal stages of development:
Egocentrism;
Childs inability to see a situation from another persons point of view.
Conservation;
Ability to understand that the properties of an object stay the same even if the appearance changes. Gender is a constant attribute.
Kohlberg (1966) Gender Constancy Theory:
Gender labelling: 2-3.5 years old. Label gender based on appearance.
Gender stability; 3.5-4.5 years. Gender is consistent over time but not across situations. Appearance still a fact.
Gender consistency; 6 years. Gender is constant over time and situations. Gender appropriate behaviour.
The theory does not explain gender dysphoria.
Ignores biological approach.
Gender Labelling.
2-3 years; doesn't take into account before birth.
Children able to say their sex.
Label others based on their sex.
No understanding that sex is stable across time.
Fooled by outward appearance.
Unable to conserve.
2.Gender Stability.
3-4 years.
Understand their own sex is stable and changing their appearance does not change what they feel