A01

• Cross-cultural research offers insights into the nature-nurture debate in gender development. Consistency across cultures might suggest innate differences, while cultural variation points to social influences, as proposed by social learning theory.
• Mead's study revealed cultural variations in Papua New Guinea: the Arapesh exhibited gentleness, the Mundugumor hostility, and the Tchambuli reversed gender stereotypes. While Mead acknowledged universal gender-typical behaviours, she attributed their expression to cultural norms. However, Buss found cross-cultural mate preference patterns, and Munroe observed gender-based division of labour worldwide.
• Media portrayal reinforces gender stereotypes, with men depicted as independent and ambitious, and women as dependent, perpetuating societal norms. Studies by Furnham and Farragher highlight this in TV adverts, showing men in professional contexts and women in domestic settings.
• Moreover, media representation influences self-efficacy, as observing gender-appropriate behaviour enhances belief in one's capability to perform similarly, as proposed by Bandura. 

  A study revealed that girls who watched a detective drama were more likely to see themselves as capable of working outside the home compared to non-viewers.