Cognitive Explanation of Gender

Kolhberg theory of Gender Development

Children's thinking and understanding changes over time.

Kolhberg believes that gender development is an achieve process that happens in stages. 

Stage 1: Gender Identity (18m-3y) children can identify their own gender but are confused by the situation and do not understand that gender is fixed over time.

Stage 2: Gender stability (3y-5y) understand that their gender is fixed but don't understand that other genders are fixed. This is because they are egocentric.

Stage 3: Gender Constancy (6y-8y) this is where they are no longer confused by the situation and know others genders are fixed. This is because they have decentred.

Evidence:

Munroe tested people in Napel and found their gender also developed in stages.

Evaluation:
It has Face validity as other cognitive processes develop in stages, therefore, it seems appropriate that gender also develops in stages. 

A limitation is that it cannot explain gender preferences and behaviours below two. Even though it is evident that babies have an understanding of gender through toy and friendship preferences.

A strength is that…