Social Learning Theory of Gender development

• What is the main premise of Social Learning Theory?

  Behavior is modeled by a role model
• How does behavior modeling occur in Social Learning Theory?

  Behavior is observed and then imitated
• What is the term for the process of imitating a role model's behavior?

  Modeling
• What did Bandura et al. (1961) study regarding children's behavior?

  They recorded the behavior of children who watched an adult act aggressively towards a Bobo doll
• What was the outcome of Bandura's experiment with the Bobo doll?

  Children who observed aggressive behavior acted more aggressively towards the doll
• What did Bandura & Walters (1963) demonstrate about children's behavior?

  Children's aggression was influenced by whether the adult was rewarded or punished
• What were the three groups in Bandura & Walters' (1963) study?

  One group saw the adult praised, one saw punishment, and one was a control group
• What behavior did the children in the group that saw the adult praised exhibit?

  They showed the most aggression towards the Bobo doll
• What is the significance of vicarious reinforcement in Social Learning Theory?

  It suggests children are likely to imitate behaviors that have favorable consequences for others
• What is direct reinforcement in the context of Social Learning Theory?

  Children are rewarded for demonstrating gender-appropriate behavior
• How does differential reinforcement contribute to a child's gender identity?

  It encourages boys and girls to show distinct gender-appropriate behavior

  
  

  • Through this, the child learns their gender identity
• What is indirect or vicarious reinforcement?

  It occurs when a child imitates behavior based on the observed consequences for someone else
• What are the mediational processes in Social Learning Theory?

  Attention, retention, motivation, and motor reproduction
• Why is attention important in the mediational processes?

  Children pay attention to behaviors of role models they find desirable
• What does retention refer to in the context of Social Learning Theory?

  It refers to remembering key behaviors or information
• How does motivation influence behavior in Social Learning Theory?

  It drives children to imitate behaviors they believe will be rewarded

  
  

  (motivation to want to be like their role model)
• What does motor reproduction entail in the mediational processes?

  It involves being physically capable of performing the observed behavior
• What are the types of learning in Social Learning Theory?

  • Direct punishment
  • Direct reinforcement
  • Vicarious punishment
  • Vicarious reinforcement
• What is the concept of differential reinforcement?

  It is the reinforcement of gender-appropriate behavior at an early age.
• Who conducted the study supporting differential reinforcement?

  Smith and Lloyd
• What was the main finding of Smith and Lloyd's study regarding babies dressed as boys?

  Babies assumed as “Boys” based on their clothes were more likely to be given a hammer shaped toy and encouraged to be adventurous and active
• What age group did Smith and Lloyd study in their research on differential reinforcement?

  Babies aged 4-6 months
• What were the main findings of Smith & Lloyds study study regarding babies dressed as girls?

  They were more likely to be handed a cuddly toy and told they were pretty
• What do the findings of Smith & Lloyds study suggest?

  It shows that gender-appropriate behavior is reinforced at an early age through differential reinforcement.
• What did Perry and Bussey's experiment involve?

  Children watching same-sex or opposite-sex models performing gender-typed activities.
• Who supported the concept of modeling in gender role development?

  Perry and Bussey
• What was the main finding of Perry and Bussey's study regarding children's behavior?

  Children were more likely to imitate same-sex models.
• How does Perry and Bussey's study support social learning theory?

  It demonstrates that children learn gender roles through observation and imitation.
• At what age have studies shown children are able to identify gender and engage in gendered behavior?

  As young as 2 or 3
• What does the research by Bussey and Bandura (1999) challenge about Social Learning Theory?

  It challenges the accuracy of Social Learning Theory’s claim that mediational processes (attention, retention, reproduction, motivation) are fundamental to gender development at very young ages
• What did Bussey and Bandura (1999) suggest about children's attention to gender-appropriate models before the age of 5?

  Children's attention to same-sex models might not be automatic or consistent before the age of 5.
• How does social learning theory explain differences in gender-appropriate behaviors across cultures?

  It suggests that these behaviors are learned through observation and imitation of role models and these role models can differ depending on cultural norms and historical context
• What is one strength of social learning theory in explaining gender development?

  Its ability to account for differences in gender-appropriate behaviors across cultures and time periods.
• How does social learning theory account for the variability of gender roles in different cultures?

  By suggesting that gender-typed behaviors are learned from cultural norms and historical context.
• What does social learning theory suggest about the nature of gender behaviors?

  They are not biologically fixed but learned from the social environment.
• How does social learning theory explain the influence of cultural practices on gender behaviors?

  It shows that behaviors are shaped by cultural practices, media portrayals, and family structures.
• What does social learning theory reveal about the relevance of gender-appropriate behaviors over time?

  It highlights how behaviors are influenced by cultural changes and shifts.
• Why is social learning theory considered useful in understanding gender development?

  It explains how gender-appropriate behaviors are shaped by social and temporal contexts.