Social Explanations of Gender Development

While biological explanations emphasise chromosomes, hormones, and brain structure, social explanations argue that gender is primarily learned through interaction with the social environment. This lesson examines social learning theory (SLT) as applied to gender development, the role of the media, and cultural variations in gender roles.

Key Definition: Social learning theory (SLT) explains behaviour as being learned through observation, imitation, and reinforcement of models in the social environment. Applied to gender, SLT proposes that children learn gender-typed behaviour by observing and imitating same-sex models and being reinforced for gender-appropriate behaviour.

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Social Learning Theory of Gender (Bandura, 1977)

Albert Bandura's (1977) social learning theory provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how children learn gender-typed behaviour. The theory identifies several key processes:

1. Observation and Modelling

Children observe the behaviour of models — parents, siblings, peers, teachers, and media figures — and learn what behaviours are associated with each gender.

• Children are more likely to imitate same-sex models because they identify with them.
• Modelling is most effective when the model is perceived as similar, powerful, nurturing, or rewarded for their behaviour.

2. Imitation