Social Learning Theory applied to gender development Flashcards
What does Social Learning Theory (SLT) suggest about gender development?
gender is learned through observation, imitation, and reinforcement rather than being biologically determined.
What is modelling in gender development?
when a child observes and imitates the behavior of a role model
What is differential reinforcement?
when boys and girls are rewarded or punished differently for gender-typical and atypical behavior.
Example: A boy is praised for playing football but discouraged from playing with dolls.
What is vicarious reinforcement in gender development?
when a child observes someone else being rewarded or punished for gender-related behavior and adjusts their own behavior accordingly.
What role do mediational processes play in gender development?
Mediational processes (attention, retention, reproduction, motivation) help determine whether a child remembers and imitates gender-related behaviors.
How does the media influence gender development according to SLT?
The media reinforces gender norms by showing gender-typical behaviors being rewarded, influencing children’s beliefs about appropriate gender roles.
Social learning theory applied to gender development AO3: babies given stereotyped toys
Smith and Lloyd had 32 mothers recorded playing with a stranger’s 6-month old baby These actor babies were males and females, but dressed either in sex appropriate or cross-sex clothes. A range of toys was provided that were masculine, feminine or neutral. Found squeaky hammer was only offered to babies dressed as males as the first choice of toy, and doll to babies dressed as girls. Also the mothers verbally encouraged physical activity significantly more with babies dressed as males suggesting adult use differential reinforcement based on their stereotypes of appropriate gendered behaviour from infancy
SLT as applied to gender development AO3: older sibling affecting gendered behaviour
Rust investigated if sex of lder siblings is associated with the gender development of 3yr old children. Measured 2000 children with single older sibling compared to 3000 children w older siblings.
findings: having older brother=more masculine behaviour in boys and girls
having older sister= more feminine behaviour in boys
supports slt, older sibling likely to be accessible role models, suggests even if siblings is opposite sex, there will be some identification and imitation of gendered behavior
SLT as applied to gender development AO3: stereotyping in adverts
Furnham and Mak rlooked at studies from 11 countries eg england, honk kong and mexico on sex role stereotyping in television advertisements. Found consistent patterns across countries of women presented as in dependent roles (in home, user of products). Men presented in professional roles, outdoors and the authority on the product
Suggests stereotypical display of gender roles is common across countries which could lead to reinforcement of these gender roles via SLT
SLT as applied to gender development AO3: research has been influential on policy makers
Psychological research has been influential on policy makers. European parliament has been issued a resolutin on gender stereotyping in the media. Recoginisingthat advertising purpose was to influence, and gender stereotypes reinforced narrow normative gender roles and life choices. Resolution requested member countries reduce stereotypical potrayals of males and females on TV
SLT as applied to gender development AO3: difficulty explaining atypical gender development and gender dysphoria
difficulty explaining atypical gender development and gender dysphoria. SLT would suggest that people who experience and observe negative social reactions to non typical gender behaviour would conform
SLT as applied to gender development AO3: can be used to change harmful gender role narratives
can be used to chnge harmful gender role narratives such as a female being a mathemtician and men being active in housework
SLT as applied to gender development AO3: trend has vhanged significantly
tradtional gender roles changing significantly in modern times = biological explanations less likely,changes fit better with an idea that gender is socially constructed and transmitted through socialisation
What is atypical gender development?
Atypical gender development refers to cases where a person’s gender identity does not match their biological sex, such as in Gender Dysphoria.
What is Gender Dysphoria (GD)?
Gender Dysphoria is when a person experiences distress because their gender identity does not align with their biological sex.
What are the two main explanations for atypical gender development
Biological explanations (genes, hormones, brain structure).
Social/psychological explanations (childhood experiences, environmental influences).
How do genetic factors explain atypical gender development?
Twin studies suggest a genetic basis, with higher concordance rates for Gender Dysphoria in MZ (identical) twins than DZ (fraternal) twins.
How do hormonal influences explain atypical gender development?
Prenatal hormone exposure (e.g., too much/too little testosterone) may affect brain development and lead to a mismatch between biological sex and gender identity.
What brain differences are linked to atypical gender development?
The BSTc (bed nucleus of the stria terminalis) in trans individuals is more similar in size to their identified gender rather than their biological sex.
What is the social explanation for atypical gender development?
Some suggest childhood experiences (e.g., overly close relationships with opposite-sex parents) or reinforcement of cross-gender behavior could influence gender identity.
Biological explanation for gender dysphoria: Brain sex thpery
suggests there are brain regions, one being that in male to female transgender individuals the hypothalamic area is more like biological females’ brains. Argued to result in feminisation in behaviour
Atypical gender development AO3:
Van B got childhood gender identity from 8000 twin pairs in longitudinal study in Holland
Findings were there were 70% variance in gender identity due to genetic factors suggesting atypical gender development is heritable.
Showed female co-twins more likely to show cross gender behaviour than girls with male co twins. Different from SLT. Suggests atypical is biological not psychological
Atypical gender development AO3: Theisen study on transgenders
Theisen sequenced the genomes of 13 transgenders indvdls and compared these to 88 controls. Finding 21 gene variations associated with oestrogen reception in areas of the brain shown to become sexually dimorphic before birth. suggests that sex hormone exposure before birth results in sexually dimorphic brain development contributing to gender development
Atypical gender development AO3: reductionist approach explaining gender identity in biological terms may be too simplistic
reductionist approach explaining gender identity in biological terms may be too simplistic
Interactionist may be more accurate. Gender identity could be a multifactorial process with biological factors creating a pre-disposition towards Atypical gender development in an early childhood critical period that is then expressed in adulthood dependent on social factors such as schema development and social learning processes
Atypical gender development AO3: assessing childrens lvl of separation anxiety
Zucker interviewed mothers of 115 males to female children assesing separation anxiety lvls. Children who met full criteria for gender identity disorder were significantly more likely to have experienced separation anxiety disorder suggesting development of an Atypical gender identity is associated with early interactional relationship between mothers and sons
