Social Learning and Gender Norms in Disney Movies/Shows

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Social Learning and Gender Norms in Disney Movies/Shows

This study examined level of engagement with Disney Princess media/products as it relates to gender-stereotypical behavior, body esteem (i.e. body image), and prosocial behavior during early childhood. Participants consisted of 198 children (Mage = 58 months), who were tested at two time points (approximately 1 year apart). Data consisted of parent and teacher reports, and child observations in a toy preference task. Longitudinal results revealed that Disney Princess engagement was associated with more female gender-stereotypical behavior 1 year later, even after controlling for initial levels of gender-stereotypical behavior. Parental mediation strengthened associations between princess engagement and adherence to female gender-stereotypical behavior for both girls and boys, and for body esteem and prosocial behavior for boys only.

This article relates to Bandura’s Social Learning Theory because it shows that children learn behaviors and attitudes by observing Disney Princess characters and then imitating them. The study found that children who engaged more with Disney Princess media were more likely to adopt gender-stereotyped behaviors as well as prosocial behaviors like kindness and helping others. This supports social learning theory because children are not just influenced by direct rewards or punishment, but also by watching media models who are portrayed as attractive, rewarded, or socially approved, which makes them more likely to copy those behaviors.

Coyne, S. M., Linder, J. R., Rasmussen, E. E., Nelson, D. A., & Birkbeck, V. (2016).
Pretty as a princess: Longitudinal effects of engagement with Disney Princess media on gender stereotypes, body esteem, and prosocial behavior in children. Child Development, 87(6), 1909–1925.
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12569

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