Which theory emphasizes that society shapes our thoughts about gender roles through learning experiences?

• A. Information-Processing Model
• B. Social-Cognitive Theory
• C. Biopsychology
• D. Psychodynamic Theory

Answer: (B)

Learning through observing others in social contexts shapes how we think about gender roles. This idea is at the heart of Social-Cognitive Theory, which says we don’t just absorb rules by themselves; we learn them by watching people we consider models—parents, peers, media—and by seeing how gender-typical behaviors are rewarded or punished. Our minds also mediate these experiences: we form expectations about what counted as appropriate behavior, and our sense of how able we are to act in those ways (self-efficacy) influences whether we adopt them. Over time, these observed patterns and the feedback we receive help shape our beliefs about what men and women should do.

Compared to other theories, this one centers on social learning and cognitive processing in everyday environments. Information-Processing Model focuses more on how we encode and retrieve information in general, not specifically how society teaches gender roles. Biopsychology points to brain and hormonal influences rather than social learning. Psychodynamic theory emphasizes unconscious conflicts and early family dynamics rather than learning from modeling in society.