Observational Learning Gender Roles
When children are young, they are exposed to many different roles in society. There are roles such as a mother, father, teacher, and farmer. However, children also begin to learn gender roles when they are young. Three major learning styles were influenced by the works of Skinner, Pavlov, and Bandura. These styles are classical conditioning, observational learning, and operant conditioning. Observational learning is one way children learn when they are being introduced to gender roles. Children are prone to observe and think about the actions of those they are surrounded by on a daily basis. An example of observational learning that relates to the learning of gender roles is a young girl who goes to an all-girls school. The stimulus
…show more content…
is the school which consists of only girls and women for teachers. The response is that the young girl will take after the other girls and her teachers. She will learn what is acceptable and not acceptable for a girl to do in society. Observational learning provides an environment for children to observe their respective gender roles. Operant conditioning is another way children can learn gender roles.
Some children learn through positive or negative reinforcement or punishment. An example is a young boy who wants to put on makeup in order to act like his mother. His mother sees him wearing the makeup and does not find it appropriate, so she uses positive punishment to discontinue the young boy’s behavior. He puts on the makeup; she gives the boy a stern talk about why only women should wear makeup. The consequence is the stern talk the boy has to listen to because he did something wrong. A final example of operant conditioning to teach gender roles is through positive reinforcement. A young girl went shopping with her mother and bought a new skirt. Her father compliments her on the new skirt. The consequence in this example is the compliment from the girl’s father for her new skirt. She will continue to wear the skirt because of the compliment from her father. Operant conditioning allows for children to learn gender roles through the use of positive or negative reinforcement or punishment.
Conclusion: All children learn differently when it comes to gender roles. Some prefer to learn through the observational method and observe others to come up with their own conclusions. Other children require operant conditioning which uses consequences to teach children. Whatever method used, all children come away with a better sense of gender roles and how they, as an individual, fit into
society.
is the school which consists of only girls and women for teachers. The response is that the young girl will take after the other girls and her teachers. She will learn what is acceptable and not acceptable for a girl to do in society. Observational learning provides an environment for children to observe their respective gender roles. Operant conditioning is another way children can learn gender roles.
Some children learn through positive or negative reinforcement or punishment. An example is a young boy who wants to put on makeup in order to act like his mother. His mother sees him wearing the makeup and does not find it appropriate, so she uses positive punishment to discontinue the young boy’s behavior. He puts on the makeup; she gives the boy a stern talk about why only women should wear makeup. The consequence is the stern talk the boy has to listen to because he did something wrong. A final example of operant conditioning to teach gender roles is through positive reinforcement. A young girl went shopping with her mother and bought a new skirt. Her father compliments her on the new skirt. The consequence in this example is the compliment from the girl’s father for her new skirt. She will continue to wear the skirt because of the compliment from her father. Operant conditioning allows for children to learn gender roles through the use of positive or negative reinforcement or punishment.
Conclusion: All children learn differently when it comes to gender roles. Some prefer to learn through the observational method and observe others to come up with their own conclusions. Other children require operant conditioning which uses consequences to teach children. Whatever method used, all children come away with a better sense of gender roles and how they, as an individual, fit into
society.