Social Learning Theory

Question 1

How is behaviour learnt according to SLT?

Answer 1

Through observation

Question 2

In terms of gender development explain what is direct reinforcement

Answer 2

Children repeat gender behaviours that are rewarded and avoid those that are punished (differential reinforcement)

Question 3

In terms of gender development explain what is meant by vicarious reinforcement

Answer 3

Children observe consequences of gender behaviour, imitate ones with favourable outcomes, avoid those that are punished

Question 4

What does identification mean?

Answer 4

Child attaches themselves to a person who is seen to be ‘like me’

If they posses the qualities a child seems to favour = role model

Question 5

What is modelling (SLT)?

Answer 5

Where a child will imitate role models, especially same gender role models

Question 6

List the four meditational processes:

Answer 6

Attention
Retention
Motivation
Motor reproduction

Question 7

Identify and explain research support for SLT explanations of gender development (AO3)

Answer 7

Smith and Loyd: babies dressed 1/2 time as girls and 1/2 as boys.
When observed interacting with adults babies presumed as boys more likely to be given hammer shaped toy. Girls more likely to be given a cuddly toy.

Suggests gender appropriate behaviour stamped at a young age through differential reinforcement

Question 8

Explain the counter point for smith and loyd. (AO3)

Answer 8

When adults interact with own children they may be responding to innate gender differences.
Eg. Boys encouraged to be more active due to hormonal differences (testosterone)

Suggest SLT only part of the explanation of how children acquire gender behaviours

Question 9

Does SLT have support for cultural changes (AO3)

Answer 9

Yes

Androgyny more common in many cultures, which can be explained by less punishment and more reinforcement. Which is SLT and not biological differences.

(Biology cannot change quickly, evolution over millions of years)