The Cognitive Explanation of Gender Development

The Cognitive Explanation of Gender Development

1. The cognitive approach focuses on the thinking behind gender development

   • Also the mental processes that allow a child to understand gender and enable the child to learn the appropriate gender role

2. Kohlberg's cognitive development theory

   • Principles behind Kohlberg's theory
     • Was interested in cognitive development, he believed that childrens minds develop in set stages broadly related to age
   • Three Stages of gender development
     • Gender identity stage
       • 2-3 years Children are able to identify their own sex. They can also identify others sex
     • Gender Stability Stage
       • 3-4 years, children are able to understand that their own gender is stable, they know they will always be the same sex
     • Gender Constancy Stage
       • 4-7 years, children are able to understand that gender is generally constant

3. Marcus and Overton's study

   • Aim; to show that as children get older they develop gender constancy