SLT to gender-EVAL Flashcards
one STRENGTH of the slt in gender is that there is research SUPPORT.
SMITH AND LLOYD studied 4-6 months babies dressed half in boy and girl clothes with adults REINFORCING stereotypes by giving gender appropriate toys for example.
This suggests that gender is DIRECTLY reinforced through PRAISE adn ENCOURAGEMENT for displaying gender APPROPRIATE behaviour which SUPPORTS that DIRECT reinforcement DOES occur in SLT.
one STRENGTH of slt is that it can EXPLAIN changing gender roles in WESTERN societies.
Society has CHANGED over time e.g. androgyny and changing roles. Males and females are NOT necessarily doing gender stereotypical behaviours anymore.
This can be explained through REINFORCEMENT changes i.e. we are now NOT necessarily PUNISHED for behaviour which goes AGAINST a particular gender stereotype.
Also the models that we are EXPOSED to and learn from have CHANGED.
one ISSUE is that the SLT may be ENVIRO reductionist, this is because it takes the COMPLEX issue of gender development and reducises it down to JUST learning from the environment.
This is an ISSUE as it means we may MISS other important factors that could be INFLUENCING gender development such as BIOLOGY.
Therefore could be suggested that we take an INTERACTIONIST approach to gender where we look ar learning from the ENVIRONMENT in CONJUNCTION with BIO.
A strength of SLT being REDUCTIONIST is that it can lead to CAUSE+EFFECT
Reducing gender development down to just ONE thing helps us with TESTING and PREDICTION (cause+effect)
This can then lead to CHANGES in behaviour e.g. if we KNOW that reinforcement changes gender behaviour then we could actively try NOT to stereotype.
One ISSUE with SLT as an explanation of gender development is that there is research support AGAINST SLT.
David Reimer SUPPORTS the role of chromosomes and hormones which goes AGAINST the SLT explaining gender development.
However, an ISSUE with this is that it is a CASE STUDY=IDIOGRPAHIC=cannot generalise back to everyone and maybe JUST david.
STREGNTH of casestudy= DETAILED in DEPTH knowledge
