4.7. Social Learning Theory Of Gender

Question 1

Nurture

Answer 1

learn all gender related behaviour from the environment and experience

Question 2

Observation

Answer 2

simply watching gender related behaviour

Question 3

Imitation

Answer 3

copying gender related behaviour -> no special relationship

Question 4

Reinforcement

Answer 4

Operant conditioning- learn through consequence

Direct:
- positive reinforcement -> you get praised for gender behaviour
- punishment -> you get punished for gender behaviour

Indirect:
- positive reinforcement: you watch someone else be rewarded, you repeat as you want the reward
- punishment -> you watch someone else be punished, you don’t repeat as you don’t want to be punished

Question 5

Identification

Answer 5

a special relationship between yourself and the role model - you see yourself as similar

Question 6

Modelling

Answer 6

You imitate gender related behaviour of someone you look up to.
They have status/ are desirable

Question 7

Mediational Processes

Answer 7

• attention: watch gender related behaviour
• retention: you remember and analyse the skill
• motivation: praise/ punishment
• reproduction: you do the action

Question 8

Strength: Bandura 1

Answer 8

• Children watch a same sex adult model hit a ‘bobo doll’.
• Children then allowed to play in the playroom.
• Children imitated the adults.
• Demonstrates we imitate gender related behaviour from same sex role models -> observation and imitation

Question 9

Strength: Bandura 2

Answer 9

Same as Bandura 1 but with a consequence

• Cond 1: adult praised - children copied
• Cond 2: adult punished - children didn’t copy
• Cond 3: No consequence (control)

Demonstrates we imitate if positively reinforced (backs up key concept of operant conditioning

Question 10

Strength: cultural differences

Answer 10

This theory explains same gender differences around the world, through different media and learning experiences

Biological approach cannot explain this

Question 11

Strength: stereotypes

Answer 11

Can explain males fixed and stereotypical gender related behaviour through direct and indirect reinforcement

Cognitive approach cannot explain this

Question 12

Weakness: Bruce/ Brenda

Answer 12

Theory ignores any biological influences on gender relate behaviour such as testosterone leads to aggression

However, Bruce/ Brenda can demonstrate nature overrides nurture.