Social learning explanation on gender development

Social learning theory says that learning occurs through experience and can be learned either directly or indirectly. This process is carried out when children identify with a role model.
This role model will someone usually be someone of the same sex who may be in a superior position to them (e.g.a teacher or a parent), though could also be identified through forms of media the child watches and seeks to replicate. This provides the child with expectations of how males and females should behave, though this may not lead to a positive outcome.
Indirect learning takes place through vicarious reinforcement which increases the likelihood that the behaviour will be imitated.
Differential reinforcement is a form of direct learning which is specific to gender development. Children will be rewarded by their parents or an agent of socialisation for displaying gender appropriate behaviours.
- Vicarious reinforcement and indirect form of learning occurs when a child sees another same-sex child being rewarded for displaying gender appropriate behaviours. This same-sex child would become a role model, so the child wants to replicate their behaviour for the same reward.

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