What are the theories of gender development?

Given the ubiquitous influence of gender in a person’s life, a number of theories have been developed to explain gender development. These theories can be generally divided into three families: biological, socialization, and cognitive.

What is biological theory of gender development?

A person’s sex does not change from birth, but their gender can. The biological approach suggests there is no distinction between sex & gender, thus biological sex creates gendered behavior. Gender is determined by two biological factors: hormones and chromosomes.

What is cognitive developmental theory of gender?

Cognitive Developmental Theory. According to cognitive developmental theory, gender identity is postulated as the basic organizer and regulator of children’s gender learning (Kohlberg, 1966). Children develop the stereotypic conceptions of gender from what they see and hear around them.

How many theories of gender development are there?

Summarize four major theories explaining gender development, namely, social learning theory, neurophysiological bases, cognitive developmental theory, and gender schema theory.

What are the theories of gender and education?

Scholars developed theories of gender and education that aimed to explain the widespread unequal access and differential treatment that girls and women face in educational institutions. Two such theories, socialization theory and sexual/gender difference theory, emerged in the 1970s and early 1980s.

What are the various theories on gender and education?

What are the theories of gender identity?

Biological factors. Several prenatal, biological factors, including genes and hormones, may affect gender identity. The biochemical theory of gender identity suggests that people acquire gender identities through such factors rather than socialization.

What are the theories of gender inequality?

Gender inequality is the idea and situation that men and women are not equal. Gender inequality refers to unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals wholly or partly due to their gender. It arises from differences in gender roles. Gender systems are often dichotomous and hierarchical.

What is gender and development theory?

A theory of gender development that combines social learning and cognitive learning theory. Thus, gender roles are formed in part by observing others and learning from how others act, and from accomplishing different cognitive tasks specific to cultures that are done by men and by women.

What is cognitive theory of gender development?

Cognitive-developmental theory emphasizes the development of cognitive processes which allow for the understanding of gender. Gender schema theory highlights the active role schemas play in acquiring and interpreting gender relevant information, and social-cognitive theory stresses the role of the environment.