Social Influences on Gender Roles - Additional Notes

The Behavioural Perspective - assumes that parents teach their children about gender-related behaviours through operant conditioning (through reinforcement of rewards or punishment)
 

Lytton and Romney (1991) - Key Study
•Meta-analysis
•27,836 participants
•Carried out in North American and other Western countries. 

Findings: Little evidence for differential treatment in terms of interaction and warmth between son and daughters. Encouragement of sex-typed activities also Boys were more likely to be physically punished

Supports the claim that boys and girls receive different reinforcement for activities considered to be sex-appropriate.

Key Evaluation Points to Consider for Lytton and Romney's Study:

• •Findings cannot be generalised globally – findings specific to westernised countries
• Cultural relativism (debate) as parenting styles may vary in different cultures.

• Very large sample size
• Very broad range of participants (different religions, ethnicities etc)
• Can identify patterns and trends
• Supports claim of parental treatment

The Impact of Peers - little studies which offer an alternative view

Archer and Lloyd (1982) -…