Social Learning Theory of Gender

Question 1

Social Learning Theory applied to gender development - learned through social context

Answer 1

• Gender behaviour is learned from observation + reinforcement for imitating behaviour
• Draws attention to influence of environment such as peers, parents and culture (nurture) in developing gender

Question 2

Direct reinforcement (differential)

Answer 2

• Children are more likely to be reinforced directly for behaviour that’s stereotypically gender appropriate

e.g. boys encouraged to be active, girls passive + gentle

• Differential - encouraged to show distinct gendered behaviour

Question 3

Vicarious (indirect) reinforcement / punishment

Answer 3

If consequences of behaviour of another person (a child identifies with) are seen as favourable
=> behaviour is more likely to be imitated

If consequences are unfavourable, child is less likely to imitate behaviour

Question 4

Identification

Answer 4

Where a child attaches themselves to/ want to associate with, a person they want to be

Person tend to:
- possess quality they can relate to + see as desirable
- are role models - in child’s immediate environmnent
- attractive, high status + same gender as child

Question 5

Behaviour modelled + imitated

Answer 5

For example:
(1) mother models stereotypically feminine behaviour when home making

(2) girl then copies mother by setting the table or feeding her doll

Question 6

Mediational processes

Answer 6

Attention - watching role model
Retention - remembering actions
Motivation - desire to be like role model
Motor reproduction - be capable to do it

Question 7

(S) Supporting Evidence for Differential Reinforcement - Smith + Lloyd (1978)

Answer 7

• Observed adults w/ 4-6 month old babies with half dressed as boys or girls (regardless of their gender)
• Assumed to be a boy => encouraged to active + given a hammer rattle
• Assumed to be a girl => reinforced for passivity + given doll + praised for looks

Suggests => gender appropraite behaviour is stamped in at early age through differential reinforcement - supports SLT

Question 8

COUNTER - differential reinforcement may not cease gender differences

Answer 8

Adults may respond to innate gender differences in their own children e.g encouraging boisterous boys to be active

Suggests => its likely SLT is only part of explaining children acquiring gender- related behaviours

Question 9

(S) SLT can explain cultural changes

Answer 9

• There’s more androgyny in many societies today compared to the 50s
• Shift in social expectation => new forms of gender schema are unlikely to be punished/ may be reinforced

SHOWS - SLT (or cognitive - not bio=> no corresponding change with shift) can better explain gender behaviour

Question 10

(L) SLT doesn’t explain developmental process

Answer 10

• SLT implies modelling can occur at any age onwards

BUT - illogical that 2yr olds learn the same as 9yr olds
conflicts w/ Kohlberg’s theory that children don’t become active in gender development until constancy

SHOWS - influence of age on learning gender concepts isn’t considered

Question 11

Extra - Identification

Answer 11

• Freud, like SLT, thought it’s important in gender development + is key in internalising gender identity of same sex parent
• BUT in SLT - identification in gender role models occur beyond just parents

Suggests => same gender parent is important but just a key influence + not the sole one