Social learning theory as applied to gender development

Question 1

Indirect reinforcement

Answer 1

• Children witness examples of gender behaviour ,observe the consequences and learn the appropriate behaviour
• Boys and girls are more likely to repeat the behaviours that they identify with

Question 2

The role of mediational processes

Answer 2

• Children will display behaviours they have observed provided the expectation of reward is greater than the punishment ( imitation/modelling)

Question 3

Maintenance through direct reinforcement

Answer 3

• If a child is rewarded for certain gender related behaviours, they are likely to repeat the same action in the future
• The direct reinforcement influences the usefulness of that behaviour for the child

Question 4

Direct tuition

Answer 4

• Informing children about appropriate or inappropriate styles of conduct

Question 5

Self-direction

Answer 5

• Once a child has internalised gender-appropriate behaviours, their own behaviour is no longer dependent on external rewards or punishments.

Question 6

Evaluation- Evidence to support modelling

Answer 6

• Bandura’s bobo doll study

- Repeated by Perry and Bussey

Question 7

Evaluation-Direct tuition being more effective than modelling

Answer 7

• Martin et al. pre school boys played with toys labelled boys toys, but not with the toys labelled girls toys

Question 8

Evaluation- Peers as gender influences

Answer 8

• Maccoby (1998) Peers are the prime socialising agency of gender development, especially later on in childhood.
• Peer reinforcement mainly acts as a reminder