Social Learning Theory as applied to Gender Development Flashcards
(24 cards)
What does Social Learning Theory (SLT) suggest about gender?
SLT suggests gender is learned through observation and imitation in a social context.
What is identification in SLT?
Children are more likely to imitate same-sex role models they identify with (e.g. parents, teachers, celebrities).
What are the key mediational processes in SLT?
Attention, retention, reproduction, motivation – all needed for imitation.
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Seeing others rewarded or punished influences the likelihood of imitation.
What is the significance of traditional vs. alternative families in SLT?
Children from traditional households show more stereotypical gender behaviour, suggesting parents are role models.
How do temporal changes support SLT?
Gender roles have changed over time, which SLT explains via changing role models in society/media.
What limitation does SLT have regarding age-related changes?
SLT doesn’t explain that children’s gender understanding becomes more flexible with age.
What opposing evidence challenges SLT?
David Reimer, raised as a girl, identified as a boy, suggesting biological factors outweigh social learning.
What role does culture play in gender roles?
Cultures have gender expectations, e.g. women as caregivers, men as breadwinners.
How are gender roles passed on in culture?
Explicitly (e.g. ‘girls don’t play football’) and implicitly (e.g. observing same-sex parents or peers).
What influence do parents have on gendered behaviour?
Parents reinforce gendered behaviour through praise or punishment (e.g. praising girls for playing with dolls).
What did Mead’s cross-cultural research find?
Gender roles varied across tribes, supporting that culture shapes gender, not biology.
What evidence supports parental reinforcement of gender roles?
Boys praised for playing with bricks, girls for dolls, supports direct reinforcement of roles.
What cultural similarities exist regarding gender roles?
In all societies, women are more involved in childcare, supporting biological explanations.
What are the stereotypical roles presented by media for men?
Men are portrayed as leaders, workers, and action figures.
What are the stereotypical roles presented by media for women?
Women are depicted as caregivers, emotional, and attractive.
How do children interact with media figures?
Children observe, identify with, and imitate media figures, especially if they are popular or attractive.
What is vicarious reinforcement in the context of media?
Behaviours are vicariously reinforced, such as TV mothers being praised for housework.
What types of media influence gender roles?
Media includes TV, toys, advertising, social media, and games.
What does correlational evidence suggest about media and gender behaviour?
Children who watch more media show more stereotypical gender behaviour.
What did the natural experiment in Canadian towns reveal?
The introduction of TV led to increased stereotypical gender attitudes, providing strong causal support.
What is a limitation of correlational studies in this context?
Correlation does not imply causation; children with pre-existing stereotypes may choose more gendered media.
How do different types of media vary in their impact on gender roles?
Some media, like books, challenge stereotypes, while others, like video games, reinforce them.
What determines the impact of media on gender roles?
The impact depends on content, not media as a whole.
