Social Learning Theory: Observational Learning

By definition the term Social learning theory is an approach that emphasizes on the role of modeling otherwise known as imitation or observational learning, in the development of behavior (Matlin, 85). The behavior in which children learn is typically gender-related meaning that they will act based on their gender for example, girls will learn how to act in a feminine way and boys will learn how to act in a masculine way. The way children learn how to act gender appropriate is through their parents, peers, media, and finally school. The first factor in the Social leaning theory is the child’s parents, their first teachers. Even though parents may not be consciously aware of it, they tend to teach their daughters and sons differently when it comes to gender characteristics. For one, take the activities that children tend to take part of whether it varies from chores to the toys they play with, parents will encourage the appropriate gender behavior. When it comes to chores a female will more likely to have to do more of domestic chores such as cleaning the living room and the bathroom while on the other hand a male will more likely have to the heavy duty chores such as taking out the trash and repair items that are broken. Once
Even when it comes to school males are treated more valued then females. Even the teacher behavior supports that males are treated better than females, where girls are not given equal treatment. The activities of the classroom are typically to appeal to boys rather than females. Females are even less shown in text books. Boys tend to get a positive feedback in the class room since they will be called upon more, praised for their creativity, and included more in class discussion. Take for an example if a question was asked and the a female raised her hand and gave the correct answer and then a male an answer that is “wrong” the male will receive recognition for that answer (Sadker,