The Gender specification

PSYA3: Gender: Social InfluencesComplete the mind map to help you remember how social factors can shape our gender.

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Bell activity:

Discuss on you tables:What can you remember about

Social learning theory?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHi2dxSf9hwChildren see children do video clip

Starter

Can you think of any specific TV programmes you watched as a child that may have influenced you to act

more feminine or masculine?Maybe a particular character was

influential?

One of my favourite films was the little Mermaid…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvP5-XOvWvE

Social cognitive theoryBandura renamed Social learning theory to social cognitive theory to emphasise the role

of cognitive factors in learning.In this situation, the source of information is social (E.G: parents, peers and TV) and what

is learnt is a cognition- something stored in the mind.

Bandura (1991) suggested that gender role development is the result of learning

from social agents who model and reinforce gender role behaviours

He suggests we learn in 3 different ways:1) Indirect reinforcement2) Direct reinforcement

3) Direct tuition

Research to support social cognitive theory: modelling

Bandura’s initial source of evidence for both learning and modelling was from his Bobo

doll studiesQuestion: What can you remember about

Bandura’s research? Discuss in pairs.

These effects have also been demonstrated for gender. For example, the study by Perry and Bussey demonstrated the effect of modelling

on gender development.However, the children only modelled the same sex behaviour as long as

the behaviour was not counter to gender stereotypes. E.G: a man wearing a dress)

The effects of modelling are limited by existing stereotypes.

Social cognitive theory

1) Indirect reinforcementChildren observe the behaviour of others and learn consequences of the behaviour (vicarious reinforcement). Learning such

behaviours result in imitation and modelling.

Question: Can you think of an example linked to learning gender appropriate

behaviours?

Social cognitive theory

2) Direct reinforcementAlthough boys and girls may learn

the characteristic behaviours of both sexes, they do not perform

everything they learn. For example, boys may learn a great deal about

home making through repeated observation of their mothers but will

not adopt such activities as they would not be rewarded for it.

Question: Can you think of any further examples?

Social cognitive theory

3) Direct tuitionChildren learn through vicarious reinforcement (indirect) but also

through explicit (direct) instructions about appropriate gender behaviour.

Direct tuition begins as children acquire linguistic skills and serves as

a convenient way of informing children about appropriate and inappropriate styles of conduct.

Question: Can you remember specific gender appropriate

behaviours you were taught from a young age by your parents?

Sources of social influence

Smith and Lloyd (1978) observed Mothers playing with their infant who was either

presented with a boy (in terms of name and clothing) or as a girl. The Mothers selected

gender appropriate toys and also responded more actively when a boy showed increased

motor activity.

The influence of parents

There is considerable evidence for differential reinforcement from parents. They are seen to

reinforce gender-appropriate behaviours.

Sources of social influence

Peers also provide feedback when a friend steps outside what is accepted as ‘appropriate’ behaviour for that gender, reinforcing each other for

gender appropriate activities as well as punishing behaviours which are seen to be inappropriate for their gender (Lamb et al, 1980)

This may involve direct tuition E.G: “Don’t be a sissy”.

The influence of the PeersAs a child’s social world expands outside the home,

peer groups become another source of gender development.

Peers are important because they offer a model of gender-appropriate behaviours.

Perry and Bussey (1979) showed film clips to children aged 8-9. In the film boys and girls were seen as either selecting an apple or a pear (both

gender neutral items). Later the children were given the choice of fruit. Boys selected the fruit they had seen another boy selecting and the same happened

with the girls.

Sources of social influence

How are males usually portrayed in the media?

IndependentStrong

Pursuing engaging occupations

Engaging in sporty activities

The influence of MediaMen are more likely to be seen as exercising control over events, where as

women are likely to be shown to be more at the mercy of others (Hodges et al, 1981)

Those who have a higher exposure to these differential gender representations tend to display more stereotypic gender role conceptions than do light viewers

(McGhee and Frueh, 1980).

How are females usually portrayed in the media?

DependentEmotional

Unambitious

The media also gives information about the likely outcomes of behaviours of males and females.

Seeing people similar to oneself succeed raises a persons belief in their own capabilities (self efficacy), where as the failure of similar others produces self-

doubt about one’s own ability to master similar activities.

Notel, Unitel and Multitel

Williams (1985) was offered the unique opportunity to study a Canadian community surrounded by mountains that had not previously received a TV signal.

The community was named Notel for the purpose of the study.It was compared to 2 other towns Unitel which only had access to 1 Canadian channel

and Multitel which had access to a number of American channels.

Method: Williams assessed the behaviour and attitudes of children in these towns in various ways,

including, questionnaires about their gender stereotypes (E.G: asking what characteristics were

more typical of boys and girls).Findings: Children in Notel and Unitel had weaker sex-typed views than the children in Multitel. This

was especially true for girls.The children were re-assessed 2 years after the

introduction of TV in Notel and it found that their views had become significantly more sex-typed.

Question: How can we evaluate this piece of research?

Don’t forget, usually it would

be really difficult to

research into media

influences as many children

now have access to some

form of TV.

Social Influences on Gender

• In groups you are going to look at either:

• Peers• Parents• MediaYou need a short paragraph of A01 on each of these. Explain- what do they have to do with gender roles?

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PSYA3: Gender: Social Influences: EvaluationCritical Commentary

Imagine you are given the question:

‘Discuss social influences on gender”

complete a critical commentary of the social approach to gender.

Use the suggestions below to prompt you.

You MUST include the following:- Positive A02 points of the social approach. - Negative A02 points of the social approach.

You SHOULD include the following:- Studies which refute the social approach, using them for

evaluation. - Studies which support the social approach, using them for

evaluation.

You COULD include the following:-A03 evaluation of studies – evaluating methodology. - A full range of detailed synoptic evaluation points, from a

variety of debates, issues and approaches.

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Social Influences on Gender

• In your groups – type up one A4 sheet on the social influence on gender that you are researching. This will then be distributed to the rest of the group.

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Research into social cognitive theory

Research has found that tuition may be more effective than modelling:

Martin et al (1995) found that pre-school boys played with toys labelled ‘boys toys’ (a kind of ‘direct tuition’

because they were told they were boys toys) they did this even when they saw girls playing with them. However, they didn’t play with toys labelled ‘girls toys’ even when they saw boys playing with

them.

This suggests that direct instruction is more important than modelling in pre-

school children.

However, ‘instructors’ (such as parents and

teachers) do not always practice what

they preach. The impact of tuition is weakened when

what is being taught is contradicted by

what is being modelled.

How can we evaluate this piece

of research?

Evaluation:Gender differences:

There appears to be gender differences in the way Mothers and Fathers regard

reinforcement.Langlois and Down’s (1980) found that Fathers were more openly disapproving of their sons inappropriate gender behaviour (E.G playing with a doll). Mothers usually

reinforced gender-appropriate play in sons and daughters and didn’t punish gender

inappropriate play.They also found a similar pattern of

reinforcement in peer reinforcement. Boys tended the act negatively towards gender inappropriate behaviours where as girls

were more tolerant.Q: Why do you think this is the case?

It has been suggested that

such behaviours may be due to the fact that

female behaviour has a lower

value.Q: Is a female engaging in a

male behaviour more desirable?

Evaluation:Evaluation of peer influences

Some argue that peers are unlikely to be important in early childhood when important aspects of gender

development are taking place.Later on in childhood it is likely that peer behaviour does not

create gender role stereotypes, but existing ones are reinforced.

Lamb and Roopnarine (1979) observed pre-school children at play and found that when male-type behaviour was reinforced in

girls, the behaviour continued for a shorter time than when male behaviours were reinforced in

boys.Does peer reinforcement just act

as a reminder?

Evaluation:

It has been suggested that media effects may be insignificant

Various pieces of research have found evidence to suggest that media does not have an effect.

For example, Signorelli and Bacue (1999) examined over 30 years of Tv programming and found very

little change in gender stereotypes.

IDA links

The biological approachBandura did not deny the role of biological factors in

social learning theory.In terms of gender he

recognised that there was a starting point for social learning as children know

what sex they are.

Therefore you could argue Bandura takes a holistic

approach as he considers biology as a contributing

factor.

The main IDA links you could refer to when evaluating social influences on

gender role:Approaches

Cultural bias

Activity: Write a short paragraph to explain how you can apply each IDA link

as evaluation of social influences on gender role

To evaluate research into social influences on

gender role

Plenary/ homework

Complete the essay planning sheet for the

following essay: Outline and evaluate social influences on

gender role (24 marks).