ABSTRACT
Along with social learning theories, cognitive development theories emphasise the social world as having an impact on the development of gender identity. These theories emphasise the active role people play in the process of development by depicting the person as actively instrumental in trying to make sense of the world around him or her. Generally, cognitive approaches have proved valuable in highlighting the active part children play in the acquisition of a gender identity. Social learning theory and cross- cultural research can add to the findings of cognitive approaches, and should be part of an inclusive analysis. Only by pooling the findings of each approach will a more comprehensive understanding be reached of how and why males and females develop gender identities. The chapter discusses cognitive development theories of gender including Kohlberg’s gender development theory and Carol Martin and Charles Halverson’s gender schema theory.
