Discuss psychological research into the factors that influence gender roles.

        However, Freud proposed that gender development is not influenced by cognitive factors but rather by biological drives that interact with the environment. Freud suggested that gender identity is formed as a result of identification with the same sex parent during the phallic stage gender development. But, as Freud used case studies upon he based his assumptions, his finding cannot be generalised and so are lacking in ecological validity.

        Social Learning Theorists, believe that the development of gender roles occurs as a result of a child’s social experience. Hence, the main factor is the environment. This can happen in a number of ways, a few being: Direct Reinforcement, Vicarious Reinforcement and Counter-Stereotypes. Smith and Lloyd (1978) videotaped women playing with a 4-month-old baby. The baby was dressed as either a boy or girl and introduced with an appropriate name. There were seven toys present; masculine, feminine or neutral. It was found that each woman’s choice of toy varied with the perceived gender of infant. Also, Lamb and Roopnarine (1979) observed a group of nursery school children during playtime. They found that children reinforced peers for gender appropriate play and were quick to criticise gender inappropriate play. Williams et al recorded the effects of television in a town where television was being introduced for the first time. Behaviour was observed for a period of two years and it was found that children’s gender role attitudes became more traditional and gender stereotyped. Cohen et al found that adults tended to remember information about a video about a librarian if it was consistent with their stereotype whereas inconsistent information was less well recalled. Jacklin and Maccoby (1978) found support for the existence of biological gender differences in a study where they introduced unfamiliar 2 year olds to each other and dressed them in neutral clothing. Interactions were most lively and positive with same gender pairs. However, Social Learning Theorists mistakenly assume that learning processes are the same at all ages. In addition, this approach portrays the child as a passive part of the process and therefore ignores factors such as individual motivation and self-regulation.

On factor, which all three theories have in common, is the observation, imitation or identification with other members of the same sex. The differences are in the way in which the learnt information affects a child’s gender roles. For example, Freud proposed that a child acquires gender roles through identification with the same sex parent whereas Kohlberg believed that as a result of observing others, the child develops his/her own ideas about gender and gender roles.