Question

The child's ability to label his or her sex correctly and to identify others as men or women is called:

• A. gender identity
• B. gender constancy
• C. gender stereotype
• D. sex-role concept

Hint:

Chronological sequence of Kohlberg's Gender Development:
\[ \text{Identity (Labeling)} \rightarrow \text{Stability (Over time)} \rightarrow \text{Constancy (Over situations/outward changes)} \]

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Lawrence Kohlberg proposed a cognitive-developmental theory of gender typing, which outlines three stages in how children construct their understanding of gender: gender identity, gender stability, and gender constancy.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Gender Identity (occurs around 2--3 years of age): The initial developmental stage where children learn to label their own gender and identify others' gender correctly as male or female based on superficial characteristics.
2. Gender Stability (occurs around 3--4 years of age): The understanding that gender is stable over time (i.e., a boy grows up to be a man, and a girl grows up to be a woman).
3. Gender Constancy (occurs around 5--7 years of age): The realization that gender is permanent and remains constant despite changes in outward appearance, hairstyles, or choice of clothing/activities.
- Gender Stereotypes are overgeneralized beliefs about the traits and behaviors appropriate for males and females.

Step 3: Final Answer
The basic capability to categorize oneself and others into male or female categories is defined as gender identity.