Outline the social learning theory for gender development

The Social Learning Theory supports the idea that we learn from the environment and receive feedback in the form of reinforcement. It draws attention to the influence of nurture in shaping our behaviour and includes both direct and indirect reinforcement. Direct reinforcement is when a child is directly rewarded for a gender appropriate behaviour, whether positive or negative. For example, a boy may be praised for being assertive and a girl may be praised for being more passive and kind. The way in which boys and girls are encouraged to show distinct gender appropriate behaviour is called differential reinforcement. Indirect reinforcement is when a child looks at the consequences that another child receives and then the individual chooses to copy or not copy the behaviour based on the punishment received for that specific gender related behaviour. This is called vicarious learning and is a method used by children that enables them to learn their own gender identity. The theory also includes the identification of a role model such as a family member, friend, teacher or celebrity. The role models tend to be attractive, of a high status and generally of the same sex as the child. Modelling is the demonstration of behaviour that has been observed from the role model. The Social Learning Theory also includes four cognitive mediational processes including attention, retention, motivation and motor reproduction. Attention is when the child pays close attention to their role model. They then have to retain and remember what they have learnt from them as well as being motivated to copy them. Motor reproduction is the physical capability of the child to reproduce the gender related behaviour.