social learning theory of gender

• SLT approach on gender development

  Gender identity acquired and gender-appropriate behaviour through vicarious reinforcement, identification, and modelling
• Learning theory


  • Through own experiences
• SLT


  • Learning through observing others
• Identification


  Identify with role models with traits in common (live/symbolic)
• Modelling


  Precise demonstration of a behaviour by a role model that can be imitated by an observer
• Mediational processes


  1. Attention (pay attention to desirable behaviour)

  2. Retention (remembering key behaviours)

  3. Motivation (belief of rewards via motivation)

  4. Motor reproduction (physically capable of performing actions)
• Motivation


  Soft determinist explanation - Through behaviors, we believe we will have rewards or make us like our role models
• Differential reinforcement


  Through differential reinforcement, a child learns their gender identity (operant conditioning)
• Indirect reinforcement


  See others punished/rewarded on gendered behaviors and choose to imitate/not imitate those behaviors
• The concept of differential reinforcement is supported by Smith and Lloyd (1978)
• Babies aged 4-6 months dressed in either boys/girls clothes
• Gender-appropriate behavior is reinforced from an early age through differential reinforcement
• Modelling has been supported by Perry and Bussey (1979)
• Children tend to model gender-appropriate behaviors they observe in their peers
• Lab study = high control of variables = replications are easier
• This is a strength to the learning theories explanation of gender development as it demonstrates modelling of gender-appropriate behavior
• Case study challenge to SLT of gender = David Reimer
• Despite being raised as a girl, David Reimer identified as a man
• David Reimer's case shows the influence of XY chromosomes on gender identification
• SLT can be stronger than the biological approach
• Shift in social norms means there is more acceptance in new forms of gender behavior
• No biological change during the shift in social norms