From the time they are born, twins Johnny (a boy) and Joannie (a girl) are treated differently. For example, whenever Johnny plays with a truck, his parents praise his behavior. Whenever Joannie shows an interest in a doll, her parents praise her actions. A social learning theorist would likely argue that this _____ will likely lead to distinct gender roles for Johnny and Joannie.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Differential reinforcement refers to the process of reinforcing different behaviors in different ways. In this case, Johnny and Joannie are receiving different reinforcement for their gender-typical behavior, which can lead to the development of distinct gender roles. The other options (observational learning, parental identification, and systemizing) may play a role in gender role development, but they are not as directly applicable to this specific scenario.

From the Time They Are Born, Twins Johnny (A Boy)