Other Explanations Of Gender Development : Social Learning Flashcards
Whats a definition of SLT
-way of explaining behaviour , includes direct/indirect reinforcement , combining learning theory with role of cognitive factors
Whats social learning theory as applied to gender development
-acknowledges role social context plays in development, states all behaviour / gender related behaviour is learned from observing others
-slt draws attention to influence of environment in shaping gender development
-includes significant others a child comes into contact with , parents, peers, teacher + wider influence of culture and media
Describe direct reinforcement as applied to gender development
-children more likely to be reinforced for demonstrating behaviour that’s stereotypically gender-appropriate
Eg boys encouraged to be active, assertive and engage in rough play
-in contrast girls likely to be rewarded for being passive, gentle, staying close to parent
-way in which boys/girls encouraged to show distinct gender-appropriate behaviour (differential reinforcement). Thru this a child learns their gender identity
-child more likely to repeat behaviour that’s reinforced . Could be direct or indirect
Describe indirect reinforcement as applied to gender development
-if consequences of another persons behaviour is favourable , that behaviour more likely to be imitated
Eg a little girl sees her mother compliment when she wears makeup, pretty dress so the girl may try repeat behaviour when she’s able
-if consequences seen unfavourable , behaviour less likely imitated
-boy sees another boy teased for displaying feminine behaviour , is unlikely to be copied
Describe identification as applied to gender development
-process whereby child attaches to a person who seen to be ‘like me’ or who ‘I want to be’
-this person possesses qualities child sees as desirable
-people are known as role models , may be part of child’s immediate environment (parents, teachers, siblings) or present within media
-role models tend to be attractive, high status and usually same gender as child
Describe modelling as applied to gender development
-from role models perspective, modelling is precise demonstration of behaviour that may be imitated by observer
-mother may model stereotypically feminine behaviour when tidying house
-same term used to explain learning from observers perspective -> little girl copies her mother setting the table , ‘feed’ doll with toy bottle, she’s modelling behaviour she has witnessed
Explain meditational processes as applied to gender development
Suggested 4 MP (cognitive processes) that are central to learning of gender behaviour
-attention: eg a little boy might want to emulate his favourite premier league footballer by paying close attention to what he does
-retention: remembering skills footballer showed on pitch + trying to reproduce these in playground w his friends
-motivation: desire to repeat behaviour comes from wanting to be like hero - identification
-motor reproduction: boy must be physically capable of doing it
Whats a strength of SLT approach and that its key principles are supported by evidence
Classic study by Smith + Lloyd
Involved babies 4-6 months who irrespective of their actual sex were dressed half time in boys clothes, and half in girls
When observed interacting w adults, babies assumed a boy more likely given hammer shaped rattle, encouraged to be adventurous / active
When same babies dressed as girls, more likely handed cuddly doll, told they were ‘pretty’, reinforced for being passive
Suggests gender-appropriate behaviour stamped at an early age through differential reinforcement , supports SLT
What’s the counterpoint to the strength of SLT approach having evidence to support
Differential reinforcement may not be cause of gender differences in behaviour
Adults during interactions w own children may simply be responding to innate gender differences that are already there
Eg observation of boys are encouraged to be more active during play may be consequence of fact they are naturally more active anyway down to hormonal differences
Suggests its likely SL is only part of explanation of how children acquire gender related behaviours
Whats another strength of SLT and it can explain cultural changes in stereo-typically gender appropriate behaviour
Exists is a less clear cut distinction between what people regard as stereotypically masc/fem behaviour in many societies today than for eg 50s
As there’s been no corresponding change in peoples basic biology within same period, such a shift is better explained by SLT than biological approach
Shift in social expectations + cultural norms over years has meant new forms of gender behaviour now unlikely to be punished + may be reinforced
Shows SL is 1 approach than can explain cultural changes in gender behaviour
Whats a limitation of SLT and that it doesn’t provide adequate explanation of how learning processes change with age
General implication of SL approach is modelling of gender-appropriate behaviour can occur at any age
However seems illogical that children who are 2 learn in same way as children do who are 9
Conflicts with Kohlbergs theory that children don’t become active in their gender development until they reach gender constancy
Suggests influence of age + maturation on learning gender concepts is not a factor considered by slt
