Which theory states that individuals learn about gender roles by observing others and receiving reinforcement?

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

Answer: (A)

Social-Cognitive Theory explains how people learn about gender roles by watching others and noticing the outcomes of their actions. Children observe models—parents, peers, media—and see what behaviors are rewarded or punished for. This observational learning, or modeling, leads them to imitate behaviors that align with gender norms. Reinforcement amplifies this process: direct rewards for gender-typed behavior or vicarious rewards for others doing the same. Over time, these experiences shape the child’s beliefs about what it means to be male or female and their own ability to perform those roles. This approach blends social context with cognitive processing, showing how learning occurs through watching and experiencing the consequences of others’ actions. In contrast, Biopsychology focuses on biology and brain processes, Psychodynamic theory on unconscious drives from early life, and the Information-Processing Model on how we encode and store information without specifically emphasizing learning through social observation and reinforcement.