Cognitive Explanations of Gender Development

Psychological Theories of Gender Development

When considering psychological theories of gender development, the age-old question is central to the conversation -- does gender identity develop due to nature or nurture?

Psychologists have identified several theories of gender development that can help answer this question.

Kohlberg's Theory of Gender Identity Development

The American psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg published his cognitive theory of gender development in the 1960s. His theory states that gender development occurs in stages, similar to Jean Piaget's 1936 essay describing specific stages in which children develop certain cognitive skills.

Kohlberg theorised that as children develop cognitive skills, their understanding of their gender and that of the people around them increases.

He suggested that children begin to understand various complexities surrounding genders, such as how to identify the gender of others and the idea that gender is constant and does not change based on superficial factors such as clothing.

Fig. 2 Genderfluidity is a concept that is becoming known in today's society.

Evaluation of Kohlberg's theory

A strength of Kohlberg's theory is that many studies support it, e.g. Thompson (1975) and Munroe et al. (1984). The existence of research supports the validity of the theory.

A weakness of this theory is that it is descriptive rather than explanatory. It does not explain why gender identities and certain attitudes regarding gender emerge but merely describes what this process looks like and when specific changes occur.

Two Cognitive Explanations of Gender Development

Suppose we use the cognitive approach to explain gender and its development. In that case, we must base our theories on the assumption that gender identity is a cognitive concept. In other words, gender identity takes place in our minds and is not biologically determined or strictly behavioural.

As our brains physically develop, our cognitive abilities also mature, meaning we are capable of more complex thought. This idea forms the basis for the two cognitive explanations of gender development we will explore in this section.

Gender Schema Theory

Carol Martin and Charles Halverson developed the gender schema theory in 1981.

A child may develop a schema about dogs that includes knowledge that dogs are furry creatures with four legs.

In terms of gender, Martin and Halverson suggested that children develop their gender identity by creating schemas about different genders and determining their in-group and out-group based on this. By identifying with their in-group, usually consisting of people with similar gender identities, children take on gender characteristics and develop their gender expression and their idea of belonging to their in-group.

Evaluation of the Gender Schema Theory

The good thing about this theory is that it helps explain the thought processes behind Kohlberg's stages much more comprehensively. Some studies support this theory, such as a 1993 study by Liben and Signorella in which 106 predominantly white children were shown stereotypical images of behaviours alongside neutral and non-stereotypical images.

In two studies, children had difficulty remembering nontraditional and opposite-sex stimuli even when given additional interpretations (e.g. labels) when they first encountered them.

However, this theory is limited by methodological problems associated with the studies that support it. Many studies used to support this theory are based on interviews with young children, which increases the likelihood of demand characteristics.

Cognitive-Developmental Theory

The cognitive-developmental theory of gender development suggests that children adjust their view of gender based on the new information they receive as they mature. If they learn new information that does not align with what they already know, they will adjust their schema so they are aligned.

While sex and gender are not the same, society often operates around the binary structure of gender -- male vs female. Children are motivated by society's binary expectations to establish their gender identity. They recognise how important of a role gender plays in society. As children mature, their gender constancy becomes more established, which lays the foundation for how they understand other elements of gender, including same-sex models and gender stereotypes.

Fig. 2 Society tends to see gender as binary.

Biological, Social, and Cognitive Influences on Gender Development

When we look at a particular topic in psychology from a particular psychological approach, it can be helpful to look at how other schools of thought also approach the same phenomenon. We can use our knowledge of different approaches to evaluate the ones we focus on and see which approach best explains the various elements of a particular topic.

Biological Influences on Gender Development

The biological approach to gender suggests that our gender identities are based on biology. There are two different factors at play: our genetics and our hormones.

Genes

Our biological sex is determined at birth by our 23rd chromosome. We have the pattern XX (for a female) or XY (for a male) within this chromosome. However, there are rare exceptions to this rule. For example, people with a genetic condition known as Klinefelter's syndrome have the chromosomal pattern XXY, which results in different physical characteristics than typical males with an XY chromosome.

Hormones

Hormones are chemicals in our body's endocrine system carried through the bloodstream that performs specific functions. Certain hormones contribute to our physical sex characteristics.

In the womb, around the eighth week of pregnancy, the presence of the hormone testosterone determines whether a baby is born with male or female genitalia. When testosterone is present, the male sex organs begin to develop, and the hypothalamus changes so that the brain is more inclined to male behaviours. When testosterone is low, the baby grows female sex organs, and its brain does not undergo significant gendered changes.

Social Influences on Gender Development

Just as there are biological influences on gender development, there are also social influences on gender development. Observation is one of our most important survival skills as humansChildrenen watch and observes those around us from a very young age m and, eventually, try to mimic them. This phenomenon is called the social learning theory.

The social learning theory plays a major role in gender development. As children watch and observe, they learn what behaviours are associated with the gender they identify with.

Psychodynamic Explanation of Gender Development

Initially developed by Sigmund Freud between 1890 and 1930, the psychodynamic approach focuses on how our unconscious thoughts and drives influence our behaviour. This approach assumes that we develop our gender identities around the age of five, which Freud calls the 'phallic stage', through specific crises he calls 'complexes'.

Oedipus Complex

Freud proposes that children develop their gender through the Oedipus complex. The complex is described as unconscious tension in which a young boy is preoccupied with his mother and hates his father, viewing him as a rival. In a girl, it is the other way around. The Oedipus complex is traditionally used to describe the development of boys. To resolve this tension, the boy takes on the masculine characteristics of his father.

Electra Complex

Carl Jung proposes that the female gender identity develops through the Electra complex. The complex is described as an unconscious tension in which a young girl is preoccupied with her father and hates her mother because she sees her as a rival and believes she has castrated her, so she has no penis. Freud refers to this as penis envy. To resolve this tension, the girl adopts her mother's feminine traits and replaces her desire for a penis with a desire for a baby.

• When considering psychological theories of gender development, the age-old question is central to the conversation -- does gender identity develop due to nature or nurture?

• Kohlberg theorised that as children develop cognitive skills, their understanding of their gender and that of the people around them increases. Kohlberg described three stages:

  Stage 1: Gender labelling (ages 2-3)

  Stage 2: Gender stability (age 4)

  Stage 3: Gender consistency (ages 6-7)

• The biological approach to gender suggests that our gender identities are based on biology. The social learning theory plays a major role in gender development. As children watch and observe, they learn what behaviours are associated with the gender they identify with.

• Kohlberg theorised that as children develop their cognitive abilities, their understanding of their gender and that of the people around them increases.

• Initially developed by Sigmund Freud between 1890 and 1930, the psychodynamic approach focuses on how our unconscious thoughts and drives influence our behaviour.