According to the social role theory, gender differences in behavior are attributed to:
a. Biological factors
b. Cultural expectations and roles
c. Personality traits
d. Genetic predispositions
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. Cultural expectations and roles.
Social role theory suggests that gender differences in behavior are primarily shaped by societal expectations and roles rather than innate biological or genetic factors. According to this theory, individuals learn behaviors and traits that are considered appropriate for their gender based on cultural norms and social expectations. These roles are reinforced by social institutions such as family, education, and the media, which communicate the behaviors, responsibilities, and characteristics that are deemed acceptable for men and women.
For example, in many cultures, men may be expected to display assertiveness, independence, and leadership qualities, while women may be encouraged to exhibit nurturing, cooperative, and caregiving behaviors. These cultural expectations lead to the development of distinct gender roles, which are learned and internalized from an early age.
Over time, individuals come to identify with these roles, and behaviors associated with masculinity or femininity are perpetuated through socialization processes. Social role theory emphasizes that these gender differences are not biologically predetermined, but are instead a product of the roles that society assigns to each gender.
While biological factors may play a role in shaping some aspects of gendered behavior, social role theory argues that the primary influence on how people behave and the roles they occupy is the cultural context in which they live. This perspective challenges the notion that gender differences are purely a result of natural or genetic predispositions, focusing instead on the socialization processes that create and maintain gendered behaviors in society.