SLT - Gender - Mindmap in A Level and IB Psychology

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Social learning theory of gender
- Behaviour learned through observation
  - No psychological differences between M and F when born; differences due to society
- Supporting research Smith and Lloyd (1978) Mothers treat infant according to the gender they believed it to be; hammer toys for boys and dolls for girls
  - Suggests parents' influence
- Media provides symbolic models; children identify and imitate
  - Supporting research Williams (1986) Canada town about to receive TV; no stereotypes w/o TV; increased w/ TV
  - Limitations Research doesn't show C+E; may be exaggerated (much gender development occurs before 4yo, media influence is weak)
    - Media likely to reinforce ideas instead of establishing them
- Culture provides whether gender is biological or social
  - Would all be the same if biological
  - Williams and Best (1982) PPs from 27 countries; categorise masc. and fem. traits; broad agreement
    - Ignores androgyny and individual differences; self-report (social desirability bias)
  - La Fromboise et al (1990) Gender roles in NA tribes differed from Western cultures; women were warriors
    - Suggests gender roles are a social construction
Retention Is model's behaviour remembered?
- Attention Observers pay attention to model
  - Models tend to be same gender and same age
- Motor reproduction Can observer fully replicate behaviour?
  - Motivation Rewards for imitating model

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