Research Methods: Introduction
The difference between male and female roles in society is quite an interesting topic and
has recently been under study. Following highly influential events such as the Women Rights
Movement, the distinction between male and female roles became a bit harder to define.
However, it is well know that gender plays an important part in shaping one’s behavior and role
in society. The expectations that society holds for each gender influence many aspects of a
person’s daily life, but to what extent? These expectations are instilled in children’s minds from
an early age, but exactly how do these children acquire their distinct gender roles? How do they
learn to act masculine or feminine? Is gender acquisition innate, or is it influenced by the
environment in which the children are raised in?
The Social Learning Theory suggests that people acquire their personal attitudes, beliefs,
and behaviors from social interaction. It is said that children learn gender roles at a young age
through indirect reinforcement. For example, a little boy might learn that boys do not play with
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- Fall '08
- Anderson
