Evaluation of cognitive-developmental theory and gender schema theory
Research suggests genes and prenatal hormones could have more sway in gender identity than previously thought.
2002 Study Abstract
The contribution of cognitive perspectives (cognitive-developmental theory and gender schema theory) to a contemporary understanding of gender development is evaluated.
Recent critiques of cognitive approaches are discussed and empirical evidence is presented to counter these critiques.
Because of the centrality of early gender development to the cognitive perspective, the latest research is reviewed on how infants and toddlers discriminate the sexes and learn the attributes correlated with sex.
The essence of cognitive approaches–emphasis on motivational consequences of gender concepts; the active, self-initiated view of development; and focus on developmental patterns-is highlighted and contrasted with social-cognitive views.
The value of cognitive theories to the field is illustrated, and recommendations are made concerning how to construct comprehensive, integrative perspectives of gender development.
- Cognitive theories of early gender development, US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, Psychological bulletin, NCBI PubMed PMID: 12405137, 2002 Nov.
- Gender bender, American Psychological Association, April 2004.
- Image credit sexandgenderinequality.
DES DIETHYLSTILBESTROL RESOURCES
- Studies on DES and gender identity and DES and psychological health.
- Diethylstilbestrol DES studies by topics.