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 change her behaviour through 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: memorises 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
