Kohlbergs theory of gender development

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Kohlbergs theory is based on the cognitive approach which focuses on
cognition explaining the development of gender. The theory is based on
Piagets idea that the way we think changes in stages through age and as
we get older the brain becomes more complicated and capable of more.
The first stage is known as gender labelling which occurs at ages 1.5 to 3
years old with children recognising either that they are a male or female
based on appearances only. This helps them understand the world better
and categorise it, however their knowledge is still fragile and very limited
so they may choose incorrect labels as they may not realise boys become
men and girls become women. Physical appearances such as long hair on
men can also lead to incorrect labels as the child may think its a woman
rather than a man. Thinking at this stage has little internal logic and is
based purely around appearance.
The second stage is known as gender stability with children around the
ages 3 to 5 coming to realise that gender is consistent over time with boys
maturing and growing into men while girls turn into women. Children at
this age may not however realise that gender is consistent between
different situations and may be influenced by different situations and may
be influenced by appearance i.e. if a woman cuts her hair short then she
must have changed gender into a male. Therefore, children of this age
lack the ability to conserve or use logic. McConaghy highlighted how
young children would continue to see a line drawing of a doll in a dress as
female even when the male genitals were visible.
Stage 3 is known as gender consistency and develops from ages 6 to 7
onwards with children coming to realise gender is permanent. Gender
constancy represents a kind of conservation and understanding that
despite changing in appearances they remain the same gender. Once
gender consistency is acquired children begin to value the attitudes and
values associated with their gender. They begin relating themselves to the
adult role models who they feel have similar qualities to their own concept
of themselves such as parents this process is known as self socialisation.
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Supporting evidence for stage one comes from a study by Thompson. He
found that two year olds were correct 76% of the tine in recognising their
own gender however children aged 3 were 90% correct. This supports
Kohlbergs theory as it shows an increased ability to recognise their own
able through age that follows his pattern of stages.
Further supporting evidence comes from a study by Slaby. Children were
asked questions to assess their understanding of their own gender i.e. will
you be a mummy or daddy when you grow up? Results found that children
were not able to recognise that gender was consistent over time until they
reached ages 3-4 onwards which is inline with Kohlbergs theory. However,
a criticism of this study is children may lack this mental development

needed to even consider such questions at this age let alone show any
understanding of the answers.
However, a criticism is that social learning theory may provide a better
account for childrens motivation for selecting and conforming to gender
categories. Another criticism of Kohlbergs theory is the explanation is
descriptive but not explanatory. The 3 stages highlight what occur but
offers no explanation as to why each stage occurs.
Another criticism of Kohlbergs cognitive approach is that other
approaches such as the biological or social approaches may explain
gender development better. Unlike the biological approach the cognitive
approach can not explain the difference in prenatal hormones and how
this may be affecting development where as the biological approach
attempts to give a more holistic account of this before and after birth.
Kohlbergs cognitive approach is also not able to explain how genes may
also be involved in gender development as if hormones differ between the
sexes then this would be caused by genetics dictating these differences in
biology which is also inaccurate for in Kohlbergs theory. Therefore,
attempting to explain gender development as purely a cognitive process
is reductionist as it attempts to simplify the explanation to one component
when evidently there are many other factors that arent considered.
Therefore, Kohlbergs theory assumes it is nurture and influences to
psychological processes that affects gender development rather than
nature and biology.
Research into Kohlbergs theory raises ethical issues around socially
sensitive research. His theory proposes it is cognition and thinking that
determines gender and this raises the possibility that people may view
those with gender dysphoria in a discriminatory way. They may be seen as
choosing to behave in a socially deviant way which may lead to less
tolerance of transsexuals or even stretch into assuming gay and lesbians
are also choosing their sexuality.
Also the theory may be incomplete as Slaby and Frey found gender
consistency appeared younger than Kohlbergs theory predicted. Even in
early infancy boys and girls begin to show prefernces for their gender
related toys which casts potential doubts on Kohlbergs idea of universal
stages of development.