Influence Of Social Learning Theory

Question 1

What is the basis of social learning theory and gender development?

Answer 1

• SLT acknowledges the role that social context plays on development
• All behaviour learned from observing others
• Draws attention to influence of environment in shaping gender development
• Includes significant others that a child comes in contact with (eg: peers parents etc).
• Includes wider influence of culture and the media

Question 2

What is direct reinforcement?

Answer 2

• Children more likely to be rewarded for displaying gender appropriate behaviour
• Boys encouraged to be active, assertive and play rough
• Girls encouraged to be gentle, passive and close to parents
• Known as Differential reinforcement
• how a child learns their gender identity
• A child more likely to display the behaviour if it’s been rewarded

Question 3

What is indirect reinforcement?

Answer 3

• If the consequences of another’s persons behaviour is favourable, behavior more likely to be imitated by child
• If a girl sees mom receive compliments for wearing makeup, may try and repeat this when possible
• If consequences are unfavourable (punished), behaviour less likely to be imitated
• If a boy sees classmate being bullied for acting feminine, unlikely to copy the behaviour

Question 4

What is Identification?

Answer 4

• Process where child attaches themselves to a person whose seen to be like them or who they want to be
• Person had quantities that the child likes
• Known as role models
• May be part of child’s immediate environment (eg: teachers etc)
• May be in media (eg: singers etc)
• Role models tend to be attractive, high status and the same sex as the child

Question 5

What is modelling?

Answer 5

• From role models perspective: precise demonstration of a behaviour that may be imitated by an observer
• A mother may model stereotypically feminine behaviour
• Same term used to explain learning from observers perspective
• When a little girl copies her mother, she’s modelling the behaviour she’s seen

Question 6

What are the mediational processes?

Answer 6

4 processes which are central to learning gender behaviour
1. Attention: watching what someone does
2. Retention: remembering what someone does
3. Motivation: desire to repeat the behaviour
4. Motor Production: ability/capability to do the behaviour

Question 7

What are strengths of SLT?

Answer 7

• Key principles are supported by evidence
• Can explain cultural changes in gender appropriate behaviour

Question 8

What is meant by “key principles are supported by evidence” as a strength?

Answer 8

• Smith and Lloyd: babies aged 4-6 months, dressed as boys half the time and girls the other half
• When dressed as boys, adults were more likely to encourage them to play with hammer shaped rattles and to be adventurous and explore
• When dressed as girls, more likely to be handed a cuddly toy, be called pretty and reinforced for being passive
• Suggests gender appropriate behaviour enforced at an early age through differential reinforcement

Question 9

What is meant by “can explain cultural change in gender appropriate behaviour” as a strength?

Answer 9

• Has been no corresponding change in people’s basic biology within the last 50 years
• Means changes in gender differences are more likely to be she to SLT than biology
• Has been a shift in social expectations and cultural norms
• Meaning new forms of gender behaviour are unlikely to be punished

Question 10

What are limitations of SLT?

Answer 10

• Differential reinforcement may not be the cause of gender difference in behaviour
• SLT doesn’t provide an adequate explanation of how learning processes change with age

Question 11

What is meant by “differential reinforcement may not be the cause of gender difference in behaviour” as a limitation?

Answer 11

• When interacting with children, adults may simply be responding to innate differences that are already there
• Boys may be encouraged to play and explore due to the fact that they’re naturally doing this due to hormones
• SLT may only be part of the explanation

Question 12

What is meant by “SLT doesn’t provide an adequate explanation of how learning processes change with age” as a limitation?

Answer 12

Modelling of gender appropriate behaviour can occur at any age from birth onwards
- seems illogical that children who are 2 learn in the same way as children who are 9
- Conflicts with Kohlbergs theory: children don’t become active in gender development until gender constancy
- Suggests that influence of age and maturation on learning gender concepts isn’t a factor considered in SLT