Psychologists conducting an observational study in a preschool setting recorded the following interactions:
"During free play, we observed fathers enthusiastically joining in when their sons played with action figures or construction blocks, whereas they tended to ignore or redirect their daughters when they attempted the same activities. In addition, when children watched a popular cartoon, they showed intense interest in characters of their own gender, frequently copying their catchphrases and physical postures during subsequent play. Notably, when a child observed a classmate being teased by peers for playing with a toy traditionally associated with the opposite gender, other children nearby immediately stopped playing with that toy."
Discuss the social learning theory of gender development. Refer to the psychologists' observations in your answer.
Practise AQA A Level Psychology Social learning theory of gender with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 7 questions, matched to the AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
