Bandura's social learning theory states that gender is learnt through direct and indirect reinforcement. The direct reinforcement is influenced by parents and according to the social learning theory gender identity is also reinforced through the beliefs and attitudes that the parents implement within their children through gender stereotypical behaviour. However, gender roles can also be learnt through observation and modelling of behaviour.

Although Bandura did devise a theory into the explanation of development of gender identity, he did not however test this theory in order to obtain empirical evidence in relation to his hypothesis. Needless to say he did form a solid basis for other psychologists, so they could undergo experiments on the grounds of...