According to cognitive developmental theory, what is the sequence in which children’s understanding of gender develops?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Now let's examine the question and each answer choice carefully. The core idea is the developmental sequence proposed for children’s understanding of gender: first they identify their own gender label (identity), then they begin to understand that gender is stable over time but may still vary across situations (stability), and finally they grasp that gender remains constant regardless of superficial changes (constancy).

Option 1: 'Gender Constancy → Gender Stability → Gender Identity' This sequence would imply that children first grasp that gender never changes (constancy), then understand that gender remains the same over time (stability), and only then acquire the ability to label themselves as a boy or girl (identity). That contradicts the established order where labeling comes earlier, so this option misorders the developmental milestones.

Option 2: 'Gender Identity → Gender Constancy → Gender Stability' Here the sequence puts constancy before stability. In typical theory, once children can label their gender (identity), they typically begin to realize that gender is stable over time (stability) before concluding it is unchanging across all superficial changes (constancy). Putting constancy before stability disrupts the observed progression, making this option incorrect.

Option 3: 'Gender Identity → Gender Stability → Gender Constancy' This aligns with the conventional developmental track: children first learn to identify their gender, then recognize that gender remains the same over time (stability), and finally understand that gender is invariant across changes in appearance or activities (constancy). This order matches the canonical sequence described in cognitive-developmental gender theories.

Option 4: 'Gender Stability → Gender Constancy → Gender Identity' This sequence starts with stability and constancy before the child even labels their own gender, which is inconsistent with the typical progression where identifying one’s own gender precedes deeper understandings of its invariance. Therefore this order is unlikely to be correct.

In summary, options 1, 2, and 4 present sequences that misplace one or more of the developmental milestones relative to the established order, while option 3 presents the sequence that matches the widely cited progression: identity first, then stability, then constancy.

PSYC_V 320 992 2024W2 Module 4 Quiz

According to cognitive developmental theory, what is the sequence in which children’s understanding of gender develops?

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