Describe the Two Theories Regarding the Acquisition of Gender Roles

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The Answer is The two theories regarding the acquisition of gender roles are social learning theory and cognitive development theory.

Social learning theory suggests that individuals learn gender roles through observation, imitation, and reinforcement. For example, a boy may learn to behave in a masculine manner by observing his father's behavior and being reinforced for exhibiting similar traits. He may imitate his father's actions, such as being assertive, competitive, and showing little emotion, and receive positive feedback for doing so. Over time, this reinforcement and imitation lead to the internalization of masculine traits and behaviors.

On the other hand, cognitive development theory posits that children actively construct their understanding of gender roles through their interactions with their environment. For example, a girl may learn to behave in a feminine manner by internalizing societal expectations and norms related to femininity. She may observe that girls are expected to be nurturing, empathetic, and cooperative, and she may internalize these expectations as she interacts with her family, peers, and media. This internalization leads to the development of feminine traits and behaviors.

In both theories, the acquisition of gender roles is a result of a combination of observation, imitation, reinforcement, and internalization of societal expectations. These processes shape individuals' understanding of what it means to behave in a masculine or feminine manner, leading to the development of gender-typical behaviors and traits.

Describe the Two Theories Regarding the Acquisition of Gender Roles

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