Final answer:
Movies and television can influence behavior by demonstrating and potentially normalizing violence, shaping cultural norms, and providing examples that people may follow in uncertain situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Movies and television have a significant influence on people's behavior. One way this occurs is through the portrayal of violence and its potential effect on increased aggressive behavior in viewers, especially children. Studies have suggested that exposure to media violence may desensitize individuals to real-life violence and teach viewers that aggression is an acceptable way to solve conflicts.
Consistently seeing violent acts—such as murder, robbery, and assault—can have lasting impacts on the viewer's perception and actions. Films and television also act as cultural touchstones and play a role in socializing individuals by reinforcing social norms, values, and beliefs. Popular culture informed by media becomes a part of everyday life, as it influences fashion, speech, and attitudes.
Furthermore, examples of informational social influence illustrate how individuals in uncertain situations often look to the behavior of others for cues on how to act, further underscoring the impact of observed behavior through media.