social learning theory Flashcards
define SLT
acknowledges social context in gender development. All behaviour is learnt through observation and imitation of role models
this draws attention to the influence of the environment (nurture)
what does it state about boys and girls at birth
they are psychologically the same
how does social learning theory state that gender differences arise
slt states gender differences arise due to the differences in the ways that boys and girls are treated
define observation
watching and internalising consequences of people’s actions
what do children look for to help them understand how to act
children look for models to guide them on how to act and then imitate their behaviour
when is gender related behaviour learnt?
gender-related behaviour is learnt when we receive vicarious reinforcement for the behaviour
what is the most important factor that shapes a children’s gender development
environment e.g: significant others (parents, peers, teachers)
define positive reinforcement
anything that strengthens a behavior because it rewards the learner
(e.g: girl recieves praise when she is dressed as a princess)
define negative reinforcement
removal of an unpleasant state by an action, action means action is more likely to be repeated
(e.g: if a boy is teased by peers for having long hair, he asks to get it cut short. after cut short the teasing stops so he keeps his hair short and removal of the negative stimulus acts as a reinforcer)
what type of behaviours are children more likely to be reinforced for
gender appropriate
define direct reinforcement
children are unlikely to continue to reproduce a behaviour that has been punished
define vicarious reinforcement
children are unlikely to continue to reproduce behaviours where a role model has had a negative experience
define self efficacy
belief that a person is capable of imitating behaviour
finish the sentence …..
gender is developed by….
gender is developed by ……
identifying with people who model gender behaviour
define identification
a child attaches himself or herself to a person who is seen to be “like me” or because is a person “I want to be like”
