Evaluation of Kohlberg's Theory
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 10.1.6
Strengths of Kohlberg’s Theory of Gender Constancy
There are three studies that find evidence in support of the theory.
Thompson (1975)
- Thompson (1975) conducted a study on 2 and 3 year-olds.
- They found that the 3-year-olds were much more likely to know their gender.
Slaby and Frey (1975)
- A study completed by Slaby and Frey (1975) on 2 to 5.5 year-olds found that the children did correspond to Kohlberg’s three stages.
- They had developed gender identity, gender stability and gender constancy, in the correct order.
- That is, for them to have reached a later stage, they also had reached the earlier stages, showing consistent results.
Slaby and Frey (1975) cont.
- Slaby and Frey (1975) studied gender constancy specifically.
- They found that older children (those that were or had developed gender constancy) paid more attention to a person’s gender.
- The children watched a video of a man and a woman.
- The older children, compared to the younger children, paid more attention to the genders.
Munroe et al. (1984)
- Finally, Munroe et al. (1984) studied 3 to 9-year olds from four different cultures:
- Belize, Nepal, American Samoa, and Kenya.
- They found that they also went through the three stages.
- This proves that cognitive gender development is universal and the theory is generalisable to many cultures.
Weaknesses of Kohlberg’s Theory of Gender Constancy
Slaby and Frey (1975) also found several weaknesses in Kohlberg’s theory.
Age overestimate
- In their same study that found support for the theory, they also suggested that gender constancy happened earlier than age 7, even before the age of 6.
- They suggested that Kohlberg’s ages were overestimated.
Boys v girls
- In addition, Slaby and Frey stated that boys were more likely to pay attention to gender differences than girls.
- Kohlberg does not discuss this.
Social conditioning
- The theory does not take into account social influences and conditioning.
- In other words, it does not look at the social or behavioural approach of gender.
Cause and effect
- The theory also does not explain why gender development follows these stages.
- Perhaps the biological approach (differences in sex hormones) could aid in explaining.
Test yourself on Evaluation of Kohlberg's Theory
Which stage of Kohlberg's gender constancy theory did Slaby and Frey focus on?
Which study proves that cognitive gender development is universal and the theory is generalisable to many cultures?
Which is NOT a criticism of Kohlberg’s theory of gender constancy?
Slaby and Frey suggested that Kohlberg’s ages were overestimated. At which age did they believe gender constancy happened?