Social learning theory to gender development

Question 1

what is social learning theory a combination of

Answer 1

a combination of cognitive and behavioural factors

Question 2

who proposed a social learning theory approach to gender development

Answer 2

BANDURA, proposed that gender develops as a result of learning from models

Question 3

define indirect reinforcement

Answer 3

vicarious reinforcement where they learn from the consequences of their peers behaviour. this modelling is learned and used as an expectancy for their next encounter with this situation

Question 4

define direct reinforcement

Answer 4

boys and girls will observe both male and female role models however, they do not perform everything that they see. they will learn through engaging in the behaviour themselves and being rewarded or punished

Question 5

define direct tuition in gender development

Answer 5

boys and girls will learn through direct instructions about their appropriate gender. Once they have learned language, they will learn through be informed about appropriate behaviours through others

Question 6

define self-direction

Answer 6

this where children have learnt from the environment and recognise the appropriate behaviour, therefore perform gender specific behaviour in the future

Question 7

define mediational cognitive factors

Answer 7

children are more likely to imitate models who are attractive, similar and of higher status. this includes other cognitive traits such as: attention, retention, motivation, modelling

Question 8

what plays a key role in social learning theory

Answer 8

IDENTIFICATION

Question 9

what is identification

Answer 9

a child identifies a role model and wants to be like them.

Question 10

what is a role model

Answer 10

a person may possess the qualities that the child sees as rewarding present as live models such as a parents, teacher, siblings etc

Question 11

what do role models do for the observer

Answer 11

they then model the behaviour for th observer to imitate

Question 12

who investigated social learning theory approach

Answer 12

BANDURA ET AL (1961)

Question 13

what was the aim of Banduras experiment into social learning theory

Answer 13

to investigate if children show imitative learning

Question 14

what was bandura’s procedure into investigating social learning theory

Answer 14

half of the children were exposed to adult models interacting aggressively with a bobo doll and the other half exposed to non-aggressive models.
The aggressive condition shouted and physically hit the bobo doll.

Following both conditions the children were then shown tous they were not allowed to play with, making them frustrated. they were then taken to play in a room with toys that contained a bobo doll

Question 15

what were the findings of banduras experiment into SLT

Answer 15

children who watched the aggressive model verbally and physically assaulted the bobo doll whereas those in the non aggression condition exhibited virtually no aggression.

1/3 of the aggressive condition also imitated the verbal responses while non aggressive condition showed no signs of verbal assault

Question 16

what did Bandura conclude after his experiment

Answer 16

children learn behaviours through observing role models engage in behaviours and imitate this showing the social learning theory

Question 17

TRUE or FALSE: parents show differential reinforcement

Answer 17

TRUE

Question 18

what is differential rienforcement

Answer 18

this means that they reinforce gender appropriate behaviour however, they do not reinforce gender inappropriate behaviour and may punish it

Question 19

who researched differential reinforcment

Answer 19

FAGOT ET AL

Question 20

what did Fagot et al find

Answer 20

found that parents showed clearest patterns of differential reinforcement had children who learnt gender roles the quickest

Question 21

how can the media influence gender development according to SLT

Answer 21

it can reinforce rigid gender stereotypes

Question 22

what does media portray males as being

Answer 22

independant, directive, pursuing and engaging in occupations enjoying recreational activities.

Question 23

what does media portray females as being

Answer 23

depednant, unambitous and emotional

Question 24

fill the gaps: those who have greater exposure to these differential gender representations shown by media rend to display ____ stereotypical gender roles

Answer 24

those who have greater exposure to these differential gender representations shown by media rend to display MORE stereotypical gender roles

Question 25

how does media show vicarious reinforcement of these stereotyped behaviors

Answer 25

the media can sometimes explain the rewards of adopting certain behaviours thus using vicarious reinforcement to encourage gender stereotyped behaviours

Question 26

who researched medias affect on gender stereotypes

Answer 26

WILLIAMS (1985)

Question 27

what did williams investigate and find

Answer 27

looked at canadian towns whod never been exposed to other tv and compared these towns that only had one channel and those who had multiple. they assessed behaviour using questionnaires + interviews. they founf that those with no tv had weaker sex-typed views, especially in girls. Two years after all towns had tv, this was re-assessed and found that the towns had more signifcantly ex-typed views

Question 28

do peers offer a model of gender appropriate behaviour?

Answer 28

YES

Question 29

how do peers influence each others behaviour according to SLT

Answer 29

children look to other children of the same gender to identify the correct behaviour to perform. peers will provide feedback on what is acceptable and non-acceptable behaviour in their actions that follow the behaviour.

Question 30

how can culture influence gender behaviours

Answer 30

cultural differences are reinforced by the media but it can also have an impact on behaviour alone. Gender is learnt as a part of the environment and as such, distinct gender differences are seen between diff cultures

Question 31

what does MEADS research into gender and culture show support to SLT

Answer 31

that there are cultural differences between gender roles

Question 32

what is a strength of social learning theory of gender development

Answer 32

P: one strength of the LST is that it is cross culturally relative E: Mead shows different cultures acquire diff gender roles in comparison to individualistic cultures men are dominant E: suggest gender behaviour are learnt from the environment and culture E: in contrast, the biological approach wouldn't accept this as its suggests that all cultures should exhibit the same behaviours as result of genes and hormones L: therefore, increases external validity of the theory as it has a greater explanation of gender behaviour across different cultures compared w/ alt theories

Question 33

what is a limitation of the social learning theory of gender development

Answer 33

P: one issue with SLT in explaining gender development is that it underestimates the role of biological factors E: research by williams and best found that gender stereotypes were consistent across cultures suggesting that there may be universal biological influences on gender development E: challenge SLT emphasis on the influence on the environment and observation of role models ignoring the role of genes L: therefore, SLT provides incomplete explanation of gender, neglecting potential biological factors -- reductionist