Where are we????
Social Influences on Gender role
Parents and peers
L.O – To examine how the environment of the child
shapes their gender behaviours
“Discuss social influences on gender” 24 marks
Does the environment shape the way we
behave?
Nature
Nurture
Behaviourist approach
• What would behaviourists argue about how
gender behaviours are acquired?
We LEARN gender behaviours through……….
• Classical conditioning
• Operant conditioning
• Social learning
Task
1. Match the key terms with the definitions
from the behaviourist approach
2. Think of an example of gender behaviour
for each one
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Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Positive reinforcement
Negative reinforcement
Social learning theory
Role modelling
In pairs discuss & then note down…
• How can parents influence children's gender
behaviours through…………
1. Positive reinforcement
2. Negative reinforcement
3. Social learning
Lytton & Romney’s meta analysis
What is a meta-analysis?
They carried out a meta-analysis of studies
that looked at the parental treatment of
boys and girls (did they receive different
treatment?)
158 studies from North America
17 studies from other western countries.
Main findings
• Parents encouraged different activities in
play and household chores. For example,
girls more likely to be encouraged to help
with housework, boys with outdoor tasks.
• Difference in punishment e.g boys were more
likely to be physically punished.
• Differential treatment decreased over age.
PEEEL Paragraphs
• Create a PEEEL paragraph on Lytton &
Romney’s meta analysis.
• P
• E
• E
• E
“Discuss social influences on gender” 24 marks
• L
This Matters Because…
Social cognitive learning theory
Bandura & Bussey
• Learning takes place through observation
of role models and imitation of their
behaviours
• If the behaviour is seen to bring rewards
(vicarious learning)
• They are highly selective
Fagot et al
Looked at…….
• 27 Egalitarian families
• 42 Traditional families
1. What is the difference between egalitarian
families and traditional families?
2. What two research methods were used to
collect data?
3. Was it children from egalitarian or traditional
families that showed more gender role
stereotyping?
4. What do the findings suggest?
Influence of Peers on Gender
Behaviours
Peers
• How can peers influence children's gender
behaviours through: (AO1)
1. Positive reinforcement
2. Negative reinforcement
3. Social learning
Research support
• Langlois and Down (1980) observed 4-6 years
olds at school. They noted when boys played
with girls toys they were teased by their male
peers.
• Further research has found that 3 yr old
children criticise peers who engage in cross
sex play.
Schools?
Page 216: Influence of schools on gender role:
Formal Socialisation & Gender Bias in School
Staffing.
How do schools support such different gender
roles?
What does Delamont suggest we do to avoid
this?
The Gender essay plan
Next lesson you will do a timed
essay ……….
Discuss social influences on gender
(24 marks)