SLT

• social learning theory

  • acknowledges that social context plays role in development and that all behaviour including gender is learned from observing others
  • draws attention to influence of environment in shaping gender development
• direct reinforcement

  • child more likely to be praised for demonstrating gender-appropriate behaviour
  • way in which boys and girls are encouraged to show distinct gender-appropriate behaviour is called differential reinforcement - through this the child learns their gender identity
  • behaviours that are reinforced are then imitated
• indirect (vicarious) reinforcement

  • if consequences of others behaviour is favourable, child is more likely to imitate it
  • if behaviour is punished, less likely to be imitated
• identification

  • process where child attaches to person who is seen to be 'like me' or someone 'i want to be' - in short possesses qualities the child sees as rewarding
  • these people are known as role models - may be part of immediate environment or present within the media - tend to be attractive, high status, and usually the same sex as the child
• modelling

  • precise demonstration of behaviour that may be imitated by an observer
• mediational (cognitive) processes

  • attention
  • retention
  • motor reproduction
  • motivation
• S - supporting evidence

  • smith and loyd
  • 4-6 month olds who were dressed half the time in boys clothes and half in girls
  • when interacting with them, adults would give 'boys' hammer shaped rattles and encouraged them to be adventurous and active
  • same babies when dressed as girls were handed dolls and were frequently told they were pretty and were praised for being passive
  • suggests gender-appropriate behaviour is stamped in from an early age through differential reinforcement, therefore supporting the learning theory
• S - explains changing gender roles

  • less of a clear-cut distinction between what people regard as masc and fem in todays society compared to a few decades ago
  • can be explained by a shift in social expectations and cultural norms meaning new forms of acceptable behaviour have been reinforced
  • as there has been no change in biology within this period, such a shift is better explained by the SLT