Social Learning, a theory brought to attention by Albert Bandura, is a common effect of the media in society. By observing television shows, movies, music, and ads people are fed information in a new context through “modeling” by the media. This modeling can be manipulating and persuading, altering many viewers’ personal morals and behaviors. With the social learning theory, there is much more influence on the audience to acquire attitudes and responses that come from televised situations that would otherwise be direct experiences. I think the concept of social learning helps me understand the general idea of the effects of media-promoted violence on young men and boys. Using the obvious example of the movie Tough Guise, it was shown the increase in weapon size, muscle bulk, and aggressiveness in film.The film shows how violence has increased in television and movies. The male population views these same examples daily through violent/action movies, criminal television shows, and many forms of music. Not only men, but young boys are exposed to this at an early age with video games and cartoons. An average boy may watch superhero cartoons in the morning, play violent/fighting video games later, and finish up the day with a typical action movie.
Though these seem pretty innocent, the total hours a day that young boys view violence is pretty average across the board. And so, according to the social learning theory, if many young men are observing such behavior through the media, then they are more likely to mimic these same tendencies. Another example, stemming off violence would be lawbreaking urges. With many rappers and celebrities being put in jail as a result of illegal weapon and drug possession it is only appropriate to question whether this behavior is being viewed by the youth as acceptable, or worse, the “norm.” Having such “models” in the spotlight committing inappropriate behavior, society as a whole becomes subject to the same such behavior. If the general population encourages and promotes such media, it is only questionable how these young males will turn up in the later years of their life.
My example of Tough Guise
Though these seem pretty innocent, the total hours a day that young boys view violence is pretty average across the board. And so, according to the social learning theory, if many young men are observing such behavior through the media, then they are more likely to mimic these same tendencies. Another example, stemming off violence would be lawbreaking urges. With many rappers and celebrities being put in jail as a result of illegal weapon and drug possession it is only appropriate to question whether this behavior is being viewed by the youth as acceptable, or worse, the “norm.” Having such “models” in the spotlight committing inappropriate behavior, society as a whole becomes subject to the same such behavior. If the general population encourages and promotes such media, it is only questionable how these young males will turn up in the later years of their life.
My example of Tough Guise
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