Social learning theory applied to gender Flashcards
what are the key terms to include in an answer about social learning theory
observe, imitate, identify, vicarious reinforcement, vicarious punishment, internalise
according to SLT who do children identify with
same sex role models
according to SLT what do role models model
gender appropriate behaviour
what makes a child more or less likely to imitate their role models
more - vicarious reinforcement
less - vicarious punishment
what is vicarious reinforcement
when a child’s role model is praised for something they do
what is vicarious punishment
when a child’s role model is insulted about something they do
according to SLT how to children learn gender appropriate behaviour
- observing their role models and vicarious reinforcement/punishment
- explicit instructions
how is gender appropriate behaviour maintained
direct differential reinforcement
what is direct differential reinforcement
what are the four mediational processes
motivation, attention, retention, reproduction
how do children learn about gender through explicit instruction
once they have linguistic skills, direct tuition begins where appropriate behaviour can be explained
what is reciprocal determinism
the fact that people are not just shaped by their environment but they have the capacity to direct themselves
how does reciprocal determinism apply to gender
once children have internalised gender appropriate behaviour, their behaviour is no longer dependent on external rewards or punishments - they direct it
what are gender roles
set of behaviours and attitudes considered appropriate for one gender and inappropriate for the other
what does SLT sugest gender role behaviour is determined by
environment and socialisation
explain social learning theory for gender with reference to culture
children observe appropriate gender role behaviour from same sex role models in THEIR CULTURE, therefore learn gender roles for THEIR CULTURE
how do cultural influences on gender roles support the nature-nuture debate
since behaviours differ it implies the influence of shared norms and socialisation (nurture) is more important than nature
who conducted a cross cultural study of gender roles in tribes in New Guinea
Margaret Mead
what study provides evidence for cultural influences on gender
Margaret Mead
what did margaret mead find in her cross cultural study
- Arapesh tribe = gentle like Western feminity
- Mundugumor tribe = hostile, power hungry like Western masculinity
- Tchambuli tribe = women we dominant and the men were passive
how does the media influence gender roles
the same sex role models children learn appropriate behaviour from can be book characters, musicians, actors, sports stars etc
how can the influence of media on gender roles explain why male sex stereotypes influence men so heavily
men portrayed in high positions, independent etc so men are more likely to be influenced since they want to identify with a powerful role model
which study found evidence for different portrayals of gender roles
Bandura and Bussey
what did Bandura and Bussey find in their study
in the media :
men = independent, directive, doing things that better QOL (recreation)
women = dependent, unambitious, emotional
