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Gender cognition in transgender children
Kristina R Olson1, Aidan C Key2, Nicholas R Eaton3
1Department of Psychology, University of Washington krolson@uw.edu.
Psychological Science
|March 10, 2015
Summary
Transgender children, aged 5-12, show gender cognition and preferences consistent with their expressed gender, not natal sex. Research indicates they are indistinguishable from cisgender children in early development.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Gender Identity Research
- Social Cognition
Background:
- A growing number of transgender children live according to their gender identity.
- Scientific research has historically overlooked this demographic.
- Understanding transgender children's cognitive patterns is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender cognition in prepubescent transgender children.
- To determine if transgender children's cognition aligns with expressed gender or natal sex.
- To assess for gender identity confusion in this population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized social-cognition research methodologies.
- Employed implicit and explicit measures to assess gender cognition.
- Compared transgender children (N=32) with cisgender control groups.
Main Results:
- Transgender children demonstrated clear patterns of gender cognition aligned with their expressed gender.
- Their preferences mirrored those of cisgender children.
- No evidence of gender identity confusion was found.
Conclusions:
- Early in development, transgender children's gender cognition is consistent with their gender identity.
- Transgender youth are statistically indistinguishable from cisgender children regarding gender cognition.
- Findings support the validity of expressed gender in prepubescent transgender children.
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