Social Learning Theory of Gender

Social learning theory concerning gender involves how both males and females learn behavior and inherent cultural roles regarding their gender. Although not a complete list, essential components influencing this social learning include observational learning, labeling theory, cultural influences, social control theory-and-mass media's influences and the socialization process.

Observational Learning

Observational learning, a component of social learning theory, involves learning by watching, observing and being aware of the actions and behaviors of others. If those actions and behaviors are considered desirable by the observer, then the observer may duplicate observed behavioral patterns for themselves. Moreover, observational learning pertaining to the gender domain is concerned with how learning to "act" like a boy or girl, man or women, or masculine or feminine is facilitated by observing others in a social context. For example, the notion that "men are stronger than women" may be presented heavily in child cartoons via mass media and, ironically, before any explicit example of "a male's physical superiority" is observed in any real-life demonstration from the female child's viewpoint. A child is learning how to act through observing what message is being presented through mass media.

Labeling Theory

Labeling theory is a component of social learning influencing a person's behavior and identity. Labeling theory is essentially learning how to act and internalize an identity by observing how people treat you and the titles subscribed to you. Labeling theory is a powerful behavior modifier and has been increasingly part of the anatomy of determining political correctness. For example, the classical and outdated label of "men are better at math and women are better at English" is acknowledged as potentially dangerous as there are, in fact, many young talented male writers who may have their efforts eroded by internalizing a disempowering label specific to their gender.

Cultural Influences

Social learning theory pertaining to gender involves cultural influences--shared values, customs and belief systems a community upholds specific to expectations in how males or females are supposed to act. For example, sexual intimacy or how sexuality is supposed to be expressed is usually viciously upheld and preoccupies vast amounts of the rule-makers time. The implication on expected gender-related behaviors are very exacting and specific to the roles both males and females are supposed to engage in. From the beginning, a person is assimilated into a culture void of his own choice and proceeds to learn by observing what is culturally accepted by others. This is social learning.

Social Control Theory and Mass Media's Influences

Social control theory pertaining to gender involves influences from the mass media. The mass media has the capacity to widely distribute and insert into someone's identity (social control theory) labels, notions and manufactured events regarding expected gender roles and interpretations, truthful or otherwise.

Socialization

Socialization involves a person assimilating and assuming collectively shared values, habits and norms specific to a family, community or an entire society. For example, a girl born into a family valuing traditional feminine qualities--long dress, particularly styled hair and tolerance for emotional expressiveness--and a boy born into a family valuing traditional masculine qualities--strength, spontaneity and a reasonable tolerance for aggression--are both products (according to socialization theory) of the shared values and expectation of the family they were born into.

References

• Social Learning Theory of Gender
• Observational Learning
• Social Learning Theory: Labeling Theory

Resources

• Social Learning Theory: Cultural Influences
• Social Control Theory
• Social Learning Theory: Socialization