Cognitive approach - Gender - Mindmap in A Level and IB Psychology

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Cognitive approach to gender
- Kohlberg's theory (Child's understanding of gender develops with age and intellect)
- 1. Gender identity Know own gender; recognise others' genders; don't know of development (boys to men)
  - 2. Gender stability Recognise gender is stable; fooled by changes in physical appearance
    - 3. Gender constancy Gender is permanent no matter what; knows is stable despite a change in appearance
- Supporting research Munroe (1984) Tested children in variety of countries (Kenya/Nepal) Found that all children went through Kohlberg stages Suggests theory is universal
  - Limitations Individual differences; Uses children (limited communication; may have answered incorrectly if not understood questions)
- Gender schema theory (understanding develops with age; self-learning)
  - Gender schema Cognitive framework about gender and gender-appropriate behaviour
  - Information found in environment and role models; used to develop schema
- Strengths Explains fixed knowledge of gender
  - Research Martin and Halverson (1983) Schema consistent or inconsistent pictures; forgot or changed to fit schema
- Limitations Children in research; Doesn't explain why individuals adopt gender-inappropriate behaviour
Learn complexity of own gender
- Behaviour learnt from observation and reinforcement
- Gender constancy Understanding of own gender and associated behaviour
  - Develop schema of opposite sex; same standard as own sex

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