Social learning theory as applied to gender development

Question 1

AO1: What does the social learning theory (SLT) suggest about gender development?

Answer 1

Gender roles are learned through observation imitation and reinforcement of gendered behaviour from role models

Question 2

AO1: What is vicarious reinforcement in SLT as applied to gender?

Answer 2

Learning gender behaviours by observing others being rewarded or punished for gendered actions

Question 3

AO1: What is the role of identification in SLT gender development?

Answer 3

Children are more likely to imitate behaviours of same-sex role models who they identify with

Question 4

AO1: How does culture influence gender roles?

Answer 4

Different cultures provide different role models and norms which shape gender behaviours through observation and reinforcement

Question 5

AO1: How does the media influence gender roles?

Answer 5

Media provides gender stereotypes and same-sex role models that children observe and imitate reinforcing gendered behaviours

Question 6

AO3: What cross-cultural evidence supports SLT in gender?

Answer 6

Studies like Mead’s show that gender roles vary across cultures supporting that they are learned not biologically fixed

Question 7

AO3: How does media research support SLT in gender?

Answer 7

Media often presents gender stereotypes that children imitate showing media acts as a source of reinforcement and modelling

Question 8

AO3: Why is SLT criticised for ignoring biology in gender development?

Answer 8

Biological factors like hormones influence gender preferences which SLT does not account for

Question 9

AO3: Why does SLT struggle to explain age-related changes in gender understanding?

Answer 9

Cognitive theories like Kohlberg’s explain how children’s understanding of gender develops with age which SLT does not fully address