SLT the explanation of gender – model answer

SLT states that gender is learnt from others and that there are no psychological differences between males and females at birth. Therefore, gender differences develops because of t he way society treats the sexes. A study which supports this idea was carried out by smith and Lloyd who aimed to find out whether the sex of a baby influences the ways in which parents interact with them. They found that babies who were thought to be boys were offered a hammer shaped rattle and encouraged to play actively. Babies that were thought to be girls were given a soft pink doll to play with and encouraged to stay quiet. This supports the idea that the sex of the baby influences the ways in which parents interact with them.

According to SLT we learn through observing others and seeing the results of their behaviour. This is called observational learning. There are four main ways in which learning of gender takes place, the first of…