social learning theory of gender development

Question 1

social learning theory

Answer 1

all behaviour is learnt including gender from observing and imitating others
on the nurture side of the debate
acknowledges role models and environment

Question 2

SLT and gender, four mediational processes

Answer 2

gender behaviour is demonstrated by a role model we identify with
four mediational process determine if learnt
attention, retention, motivation, motor reproduction

Question 3

mediational processes example

Answer 3

attention = watch mum ironing
retention= remember what she was doing
motivation= hear dad thanking mum for ironing his shirts
motor reproduction= copy by ironing doll cloths with toy iron

Question 4

modelling

Answer 4

more likely to when we identify with someone
have desirable qualities seen as desirable and part of immediate family or in media
attractive, high status, same sex

Question 5

vicarious reinforcement

Answer 5

likely to copy behavior they have seen rewarded

Question 6

direct reinforcement

Answer 6

receiving praise
e.g girl models mother’s gender wearing a dress is praised for appropriate behaviour

Question 7

differential reinforcement

Answer 7

ways boys and girls encouraged to show distinct gender appropriate behaviour
how a child learns gender identity

Question 8

EVALUATION
strength
supportive evidence
Smith & Lloyd

Answer 8

empirical evidence
found babies dressed in blue or pink
adults treated them differently
blue given hammer shaped rattle
in pink cuddly toy, told ;pretty’
gender appropriate behaviour is enforced at an early age by differential reinforcement

Question 9

EVALUATION
strength
can explain changes in gender norms

Answer 9

now in western society less clear cut stereotypical male and female behaviour than 1950s
explained by cultural norms= new forms of gender acceptable
children observe different gender related behaviours and motivated to copy as role models are praised eg girls playing football
no change in basic biology= better than biological approach

Question 10

EVALUATION
strength
can explain cultural differences

Answer 10

differences in gender development occur in different cultures
eg west more likely accept girls as tom boys
different role models in different cultures are copied

Question 11

EVALUATION
weakness
ignores cognitive development
Dublin

Answer 11

not a developmental theory
suggests modeling occurs at any age
Dublin suggests selection and imitation not till later
agrees with Kohlberg’s theory children don’t become active in gender development till reaching gender constancy
slt= not only way gender role behaviour develops cognition maturation needs to be considered

Question 12

EVALUATION
strength
ignores biology

Answer 12

little emphasis of genes and chromosomes just environment
David Reimer case shows is not possible to override chromosomal influence ‘Bruce’ did not learn female behaviour through 4 mediational processes
prefer biosocial theory= innate biological differences reinforced by social interaction and cultural expectations

Question 13

EVALUATION
strength
ignores role of the unconscious

Answer 13

freud suggests over relies on conscious mediational processes
felt unconscious forces play important role determining gender development
HOWEVER
supportsimportance of same se parent in gender development
SLT= too simplistic explanation