From the time they are born, twins Johnny (a boy) and Joannie (a girl) are treated diversely. 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 is the process of reinforcing certain behaviors while ignoring others. In this case, Johnny is reinforced for playing with a truck, which is traditionally seen as a masculine activity, while Joannie is reinforced for playing with a doll, which is generally seen as a feminine activity. This differential reinforcement is likely to lead to the development of distinct gender roles for Johnny and Joannie.

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