1. THEORIES OF GENDER
There are four types of gender theory
1. Psychoanalytic theory
2. Social learning theory
3. Cognitive development theory
4. Gender schema theory
Psychoanalytic theory
It is a theory and method of treatment for psychological disorders as it emphasizes that people are
not fully aware of their feelings .this theory was originally developed by sigmund freud , he proposed
that sexuality is supremely important in explaining human behaviour .as infants mature the focus of
their sexual energy shifts from one region of the body to another.
Social learning theory
This theory focuses on the learning that occurs within a social context.
It considers that people learn from one another including such concepts as observational, learning,
imitation and modelling . social learning theory is concerned with how individuals learn the
behaviour patterns considered appropriate for their sex.
Cognitive development theory
These theory focus on how we think about gender and how our thought processes influence our
behaviour. Kohlberg’s cognitive theory proposes that children are responsible for shaping their own
gender, they actively work to understand gender related concepts.
According to this theory children knowledge of gender is connected to their general understanding
of the world. Understanding of gender leads to the gender typed behaviour.
Gender schema theory
This refers to the theory that children learn about what it means to be male and female from the
culture in which they live. Children adjust their behaviour to fit in with the gender norms and
expectations of their culture. This theory blends together two prominent earlier approaches;
cognitive development and social learning approach.
