Social Learning Explanation of Gender Development

Question 1

What are the main social learning explanations of gender?

Answer 1

• Direct and indirect reinforcement
• Identification with role models
• Mediational processes (ARRM theory)

Question 2

What evidence is there to support these theories?

Answer 2

-Smith and Lloyd (1978) dressed 4-6 month old babies half in girl’s clothes and half in boy’s clothes, it was seen that the babies dressed as boys were encouraged to explore more while girls were praised for being more passive

Question 3

How can this theory be evaluated otherwise?

Answer 3

(+) It can explain evolving gender roles
(-) Doesn’t explain how attitudes towards gender change as the child gets older
(-) There is evidence which shows how biology has an impact on gender, this theory does not acknowledge this
(-) Freud would argue that this theory does not consider unconscious forces (i guess?)