Gender 5 | Social learning theory as applied to gender development Flashcards
AO1 What is the Social Learning Theory (SLT) explanation of gender?
SLT suggests that gender roles are learned through observation and imitation of role models in the environment rather than being biologically determined.
AO1 How does identification play a role in SLT?
Children are more likely to imitate behaviours from role models they identify with, such as same-sex parents, peers, or media figures.
AO1 What is vicarious reinforcement in SLT?
Vicarious reinforcement occurs when children see gender-related behaviours being rewarded or punished in others, influencing whether they imitate these behaviours.
AO1 What is direct reinforcement in SLT?
Direct reinforcement occurs when children are personally rewarded or punished for gender-related behaviours, strengthening or discouraging those behaviours.
AO1 How does the media influence gender roles according to SLT?
The media provides role models displaying gender-stereotypical behaviours, reinforcing them through rewards, making children more likely to imitate these behaviours.
AO1 How do parents influence gender roles in SLT?
Parents reinforce gender-typical behaviour through encouragement and punishment, shaping their children’s gender identity.
AO1 What role do peers play in gender development according to SLT?
Peers reinforce gender norms by approving or disapproving behaviours that conform to traditional gender roles.
AO1 What did Whiting and Edwards (1988) find about cross-cultural gender roles?
They found that in different cultures, gender roles varied based on environmental demands. Boys were more likely to be involved in tasks requiring independence, while girls engaged in nurturing tasks, supporting SLT’s emphasis on learning from social norms.
AO1 What did Margaret Mead (1935) find about cross-cultural gender roles?
Mead studied tribes in Papua New Guinea and found significant variations in gender roles. In some tribes, both sexes were nurturing, while in others, both were aggressive. This suggests that gender roles are learned through cultural norms rather than being biologically determined.
AO3 What is one strength of SLT in explaining gender?
SLT is supported by cross-cultural research, such as Mead’s study, showing that gender roles vary across cultures, suggesting they are learned rather than biologically fixed.
AO3 How does media research support SLT?
Studies show that children’s TV portrays gender stereotypes that children imitate, suggesting media acts as a powerful source of gender role learning.
AO3 What is one limitation of SLT in explaining gender?
SLT underestimates biological influences, as studies of children with atypical hormone exposure show gender-typical preferences regardless of socialisation.
AO3 How does SLT struggle to explain developmental changes in gender?
Research shows that children’s understanding of gender becomes more rigid at 4-6 years old, better explained by cognitive theories like Kohlberg’s rather than SLT.
