Question

When Marty was a child, his father routinely beat his mother. In elementary school, Marty hit children on the playground. As an adult, he acts violently towards his romantic partners. Marty's behavior best illustrates the concept of __________.

A) Differential association
B) Social learning
C) Psychoanalytic trauma
D) Cycle of violence

Answer 1

Marty's violent behavior across different stages of life illustrates the 'cycle of violence,' reflecting patterns learned from exposure to domestic violence in childhood, confirming the principles of social learning theory.

Step-by-step explanation:

Marty's behavior best illustrates the concept of the cycle of violence. This term refers to the repetitive nature of abusive behaviors as they are passed down through generations. As Marty witnessed domestic violence in childhood, he learned and began to imitate those violent behaviors both in his youth and as an adult. This pattern aligns with social learning theory, which suggests that we learn from observing others, especially during our formative years. In Marty's case, the exposure to violence normalized aggressive responses to anger and frustration, which he then reproduced in his interactions on the playground and later in his romantic relationships.