Sex and gender - social learning theory

Question 1

Social learning theory assumptions

Answer 1

• social context plays a role in development and states that all behaviour is learned from observing others
• this includes contact with peers, parents and media

Question 2

Direct reinforcement

Answer 2

• children are more likely to be reinforced for demonstrating behaviour that is stereotypically gender appropriate

Question 3

Differential reinforcement

Answer 3

• the way in which boys and girls are encouraged to show distinct gender appropriate behaviours
• this is how a child learns their gender identity
• a child is more likely to repeat a behaviour that has been reinforced

Question 4

Indirect reinforcement

Answer 4

• if the consequences of a behaviour are favourable, the child is more likely to imitate it
• if the consequences are unfavourable, the child is less likely to imitate it

Question 5

Identification

Answer 5

• the process whereby a child attaches themself to a person who is seen to be ‘like me’
• possess qualities the child sees as desirable

Question 6

Modelling

Answer 6

• the precise demonstration of behaviour that may be imitated by an observer
• children imitating the behaviour they have witnessed

Question 7

Mediational processes

Answer 7

• Attention
• Retention: remembering the skills required to reproduce the behaviour
• Motivation: the desire to repeat the behaviour - wanting to be like the model
• Reproduction: motor capability

Question 8

Strength - research support

Answer 8

P: key principles supported by research
E: Smith and Lloyd - babies dressed in boys/girls toys were given gender appropriate toys by adults. Reinforced for acting in gender stereotypical ways
E: Reinforcement leads to the development of gender identity
L: gender-appropriate behaviour is stamped at an early age through differential reinforcement

Question 9

Counterargument - challenging differential reinforcement

Answer 9

• may not be the cause of gender differences
• adults may be responding to innate gender differences that are already there
• eg. praising boys for engaging in more active play could be due to hormonal differences that make boys more active

Question 10

Strength - cultural changes

Answer 10

P: can explain cultural changes in gender stereotypical behaviour
E: Less clear cut distinction between what people view as stereotypically masculine and feminine over time
E: no corresponding changes in biology suggest this is due to social learning
L: SLT is one approach that can explain cultural changes in gender behaviour

Question 11

Weakness - no developmental sequence

Answer 11

P: doesn’t explain how mental processes change with age
E: general implication is that modelling can occur at any age. However it seems illogical that children of all ages learn in the same way
E: this conflicts with Kohlberg’s theory that children do not become active in their development until they reach gender constancy
L: SLT doesn’t consider age and maturity