Social Learning theory explanation of gender Flashcards
SLT on gender
- explains the development of particular gender roles
- children learn gender roles from influences in their environment
- children observe behaviour and imitate it
environmental influences
media, peers, parents, teachers
example of observed behaviour
a boy watching his dad play football will also want to play football
reinforcement
- leads to New behaviours being acquired faster
- can be direct or indirect
example of direct reinforcement
a father praising his sons football skills and rewarding him with a ice-cream
indirect reinforcement
- helps children learn vicariously
- children learn what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour based on what happens to others
indirect reinforcement example
a little girl sees her friend told off for being too boisterous, may her behaviour for fear of punishment
differential reinforcement
the way girls and boys are encouraged to show gender-appropriate behaviours (different from each other)
identification
- when a child attaches her/himself to a person like them
- role-model usually the same sex - imitates their behaviour
ARRM in relation to gender
A: A girl watches mum apply make up
R: memories the steps
R: being physically capable of imitating
M: motivation to be like your role model
discussion points of SLT for gender
Evidence of differential reinforcement
- Smith & Lloyd- parental behaviour leads to direct reinforcement of gender roles
Some methods more effective than others
- boys only played w/ toys labelled boy not girl regardless of who else played with it - direct instruction more important than modelling
counterpoint PEELS
Research support
- Bodo doll findings - more likely to imitate same sex models
However: only imitate if it’s not counter-stereotypical
- other processes involved, limited to existing stereotypes
