Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1977)

Answer 1

Gender is learned through observation, imitation, and reinforcement.

Children learn gendered behaviour by watching role models like parents, peers, celebrities, and media figures

Question 2

Modelling

Answer 2

Role models demonstrate gender-appropriate behaviour, which children observe and later imitate.

Models are usually same-sex and someone the child identifies with or admires

Question 3

Direct Reinforcement

Answer 3

Positive reinforcement: Praising or rewarding behaviour that fits gender norms (e.g., a boy praised for playing football).

Negative reinforcement or punishment: Discouraging behaviour that doesn’t match gender expectations (e.g., a boy teased for playing with dolls

Question 4

Vicarious Reinforcement

Answer 4

learning occurs by observing the consequences of others’ behaviour.

If a role model is rewarded for gender-typical behaviour, the child is more likely to imitate it

Question 5

Mediational Processes

Answer 5

Attention: Noticing the behaviour of a role model.

Retention: Remembering the behaviour.

Motivation: Wanting to reproduce the behaviour, often influenced by expected outcomes.

Motor Reproduction: Having the ability to carry out the behaviour

Question 6

What does self-efficacy have an effect on?

Answer 6

May have an effect on our own confidence about our abilities in a specific situation.

Question 7

strengths

Answer 7

✅ Empirical support
→ Example: Bandura’s Bobo doll study showed imitation of same-sex role models.

✅ Explains cultural differences
→ Example: Different societies have varying gender roles, shaped by reinforcement and modelling

Question 8

limitations

Answer 8

❌ Ignores biological influences
→ Example: Can’t explain cases like David Reimer where biology overrode socialisation.

❌ Can’t explain atypical gender development
→ Example: SLT struggles to account for gender dysphoria without biological or cognitive factors