cognitive and emotional control
Cognitive and Emotional Development and Gender
Rachel Hartman
COM 376
Stage 1: Young children reconginize sex differences, but can not yet identify someone’s sex
Stage 2: Children learn their own sexual identity and can identify other’s sex
Stage 3: Children behave in sex-typed appropriate behavior set by their culture and do not associate in behaviors of the other sex
Stage 4: Children detach their identities from their main caregiver, which is typically their mothers.
(Ivy, 2017, p. 41)
Kohlberg’s Theory: a Cognitive Explanation
Some Flaws
Boys are able to detach themselves from their mothers, thus continuing through stage 4. Girls are unable to because their mother is also a female. (Ivy, 2017, p. 41)
This logic implies that girls’ development is incomplete and falls short of boys’ development. (Ivy, 2017, p. 42)
This theory also breaks down if a boy’s only and/or primary caregiver is their father. Would this theory stay consistent and have these boys be somehow less developed than their mother primary caregiver counterparts?
Stage 1: Young children reconginize sex differences, but can not yet identify someone’s sex
Stage 2: Children learn their own sexual identity and can identify other’s sex
Stage 3: Children behave in sex-typed appropriate behavior set by their culture and do not associate in behaviors of the other sex
Stage 4: Children detach their identities from their main caregiver, which is typically their mothers (Ivy, 2017, p. 41)
Stage 3: Teen or adult questions gender roles and find their psychological androgynous traits (Ivy, 2017, p. 44)
Pleck’s Revision: Gender Transcendence Theory
Gender and Emotional Development
“Femininity remains linked to the private sphere-to home, family, emotional expressiveness, and caring for others. Masculinity continues to focus on the public areas of work and is associated with power and dominance, emotional reserve, and productivity” (Ivy, 2017, p. 27) (Bold added).
Gender identity is formed through a mix of your biology and external social environment (Ivy, 2017, p. 23). Family is the biggest socializing agent (Ivy, 2017, p. 47).
Emotional development is largely influenced by parents and the things they show and do, leaving a great mark on what emotions you can show because of your gender.
Do you think you have gone through the 3rd stage in gender transcendence theory?
Remember, androgyny is not a gender identity, rather, a blend of any percentage of masculine and femine traits.
Do you think something like a pandemic has made it easier to find androgyny in your life?
Do you believe that your family had the greatest effect on how and what emotions you display?
Any other thoughts?
Discussion Time!!
Other Important Topics in Chapter 2
Identity statement
Intersectionality
Gender Dysphoria
Intersex
Identity Statement
“This view leads to two important points regarding identity: First, no two identities are the same. This may seem like a completely obvious statement, but it has significant implications for communication. We can’t ever assume that two people-whether they’re from the same sex, the same group, or the same culture-will act or see the world precisely the same way. Similarities will exist of course, but so will differences. Second, identities aren’t fixed. Since identities are created through the interaction of the individual and the environment, and both change and evolve over time, and individual’s identity also is malleable and can be altered” (Ivy, 2017, p. 22)
Intersectionality
When different parts of your identity collide. Things like, but are not limited to:
Race
Class
Nationality
Sexuality
Ethnicity
Age
Religion
(Ivy, 2017, p. 52-53)
Gender Dysphoria and Intersex
Gender dysphoria
When someone feels like they are one biological sex, but internally and emotionally another sex (Ivy, 2017, p. 23)
Intersex
“People born with a mixture of female and male genitalia and hormonal systems” (Ivy, 2017, p. 23)
Work Cited
Flipping Psychology AQA. (2017, May 17). Kohlberg gender theory demonstration [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/_BFDgO_y9cc
Ivy, Diana K. (2017) GenderSpeak: Communicating in a Gendered World (6th edition). Kendall Hunt Publishing.
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