8. social learning theory Flashcards
Social learning theory acknowledges the role that the social context plays in development and states that….
all behaviour is learnt from observing others. SLT draws attention to the importance of the environment (nurture) in shaping gender development. This includes who the child encounters - parents, peers, teachers and as well as the influence of culture and media.
A child is more likely to repeat behaviours that
have been rewarded. This reinforcement may be direct or indirect (vicarious).
what is direct reinforcement in terms of gender related behaviour?
Children are more likely to be reinforced for demonstrating behaviour that is stereotypically gender appropriate. The way in which boys and girls are encouraged to show distinct gender associated behaviour is called differential reinforcement, whereby the child learns their gender identity.
what is vicarious reinforcement? give an example
(use little girl seeing mother receive a compliment for wearing a dress)
If the consequences of another person’s behaviour are favourable, the behaviour is more likely to be imitated by a child.
e.g. a little girl sees her mother receive a compliment when she wears makeup and a pretty dress, she may try to repeat this behaviour when she is able to.
If the consequences of the behaviour are unfavourable, the behaviour is less likely to be repeated.
define IDENTIFICATION in terms of gender development
e.g. who are the role models, what qualities they have etc.
the process whereby a child attaches themselves to a person who is seen to be like them or who they want to be - they have the qualities the child sees as desirable, and they are known as role models. They may be a part of the child’s immediate environment or may be present within the media. Role models tend to be attractive, high status and usually same gender as the child.
define MODELLING
what is it? (example included in answer)
the precise demonstration of a behaviour that may be imitated by an observer by a role model. A mother may model stereotypically feminine behaviour when tidying the house or preparing dinner. When a little girl copies her mother setting the table, she is also modelling the behaviour she has witnessed.
describe the 4 meditational processes
using little boy and football player as an example
ATTENTION: a little boy wants to copy his favourite footballer by paying close attention to what he does.
RETENTION: the boy remembers the skills that the footballer showed and tries to reproduce them later.
MOTIVATION: the desire to repeat the behaviour comes from wanting to be like his hero (identification)
MOTOR REPRODUCTION: the boy must be physically capable of doing the behaviour.
AO3: strength of SLT
RESEARCH SUPPORT - Smith and Lloyd babies
Key principles are supported by evidence.
Smith and Lloyd involved babies around 4-6 months who were dressed half the time in girls’ clothes and half the time in boy’s clothes. When observed interacting with adults, babies assumed to be a ‘boy’ were more likely to be given a hammer shaped rattle and encouraged to be active. When the same babies were dressed as girls, they were more likely to be handed a cuddly doll, told that they were pretty, and reinforced for being passive.
This suggests that gender appropriate behaviour is stamped in at an early age through differential reinforcement, supporting SLT.
AO3: strength of SLT
can explain cultural changes in gender-appropriate behaviour
SLT can explain cultural changes in stereotypically gender-appropriate behaviour.
There is a less of a clear-cut distinction between what people regard as stereotypically female and stereotypically male behaviour in many societies today than there was when Bem’s BSRI was developed. As there has been no corresponding change in people’s basic biology within the same period, such a shift is much better explained by the SLT than the biological approach. The shift in social expectations and cultural norms over the years has meant new forms of gender behaviour are now unlikely to be punished and may be reinforced.
This shows that SLT is one approach that can explain cultural changes in gender behaviour.
AO3: give a limitation of SLT
NO DEVELOPMENTAL SEQUENCE (compare to kohlberg)
SLT does not provide an adequate explanation of how learning processes change with age.
The general implication of the social learning approach is that modelling of gender-appropriate behaviour can occur at any age, from birth onwards. However, it seems illogical that children who are 2 years old learn in the same way as children who are 9 years old. This conflicts with Kohlberg’s theory that children do not become active in their gender development until they reach gender constancy.
This suggests that influence of age and maturation on learning gender concepts is not a factor considered by social learning theory.
