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How does a cognitive psychologist understand thinking and behaviour? What might a cognitive psychologist say about gender differences?. psychlotron.org.uk. Overheard (3 year olds). What do the things that young children say reveal about their understanding of and thinking about gender?.
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How does a cognitive psychologist understand thinking and behaviour? • What might a cognitive psychologist say about gender differences? psychlotron.org.uk
Overheard (3 year olds) • What do the things that young children say reveal about their understanding of and thinking about gender? psychlotron.org.uk
Cognitive dev’tal theory • Emphasises environmental factors • Thinking and understanding, not just observation & imitation • Stages of development – thinking about gender alters at each stage psychlotron.org.uk
Labelling ‘Girl’ Self perception ‘I’m a girl.’ ‘What do girls do?’ Organisation ‘I like doing girl things because I’m a girl!’ Motivation Cognition and gender psychlotron.org.uk
Gender development stages • Gender identity (about 2 years) • Ability to correctly label self • Gender stability (about 4 years) • Recognition that own gender will not change • Gender constancy (by 7 years) • Recognition that gender is independent of clothing/hair etc. psychlotron.org.uk
Exploring gender concepts • Are you a boy or a girl? • When you were a baby, were you a boy or a girl? • When you grow up, will you be a mummy or a daddy? • If you wore (e.g. a dress) would you be a girl? psychlotron.org.uk
Damon (1977) • Child PPs of 4, 6 & 9yrs were told a story about ‘George’, who liked to play with dolls. • They were asked whether it was OK, should be allowed etc. • How do you think the children answered at different ages? Why? psychlotron.org.uk
Main issues • Descriptive not explanatory – says what happens, not why • SLT provides a better account of children’s motivation for selecting & conforming to gender categories • Poor at explaining individual differences & change over time psychlotron.org.uk