The Social Learning Theory

I think the concept of the social learning theory helped me understand the screenings of Tough Guise/Killing Us Softly even more than I would have. The social learning theory is the theory that people become what they see on the tv, computer, or even cell phone screen. The social learning theory cultivated over time since the start of television and media and extends to us even now. The behavior of the characters of their favorite show influence the viewer so much that they slowly but surely start to act, behave and become just like what they watch. When you really think about it, it kind of happens without us really even knowing about or even realizing the changes in our overall mood or behavior.

My childhood friends were always into wrestling and WWF. They would watch it all the time. Me, not so much. I was way too much into star wars and science fiction in general. But as we grew up I started seeing a significant change in how they acted.They were no longer my cool friends that I would play with at recess, but the bullies that caused all the trouble in school. My guess is that as they grew, watching tv and the violence of wresting looked cool to them and that exuded onto their behavioral patterns. Whatever it was, I didn't want to be associated with those troublemakers or else my mom would have smacked the "force" out of me.




The lecture and the readings made me realize that what we watch can influence our own lives. It is good to not overanalyze things we see on the screen. The social learning theory can explain many patterns in society all together, just like it did for me in my childhood.















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