Question

According to Bandura's model of observational learning, which of the following characteristics of television depictions of violent behavior makes the violent behavior more likely to be imitated?

A) Violent behavior is performed by a high-status individual or model.
B) The aggressive person is punished for his or her violent behavior.
C) The violent programs show the long-term negative consequences of violence, such as the months of painful rehabilitation following a gunshot wound.
D) The victim of aggressive behavior is the main character of the program.

Answer 1

A. Violent behavior is performed by a high-status individual or model.

Step-by-step explanation:

Bandura believed an individual's behavior is a consequence of the environment's influence. He believed an individual tends to reenact or copy behaviors based on the observation of them, wether they be positive or negative.

In this case, an individual tends to imitate violent behavior especially when it is performed by a high-status individual or model, since he/she is someone that tends to be looked up to and admired. Since the model is of high-status it is commonly believed that whatever he/she does is the right thing.

Unlike this, if the aggressive person is punished the individual watching tends not to imitate the actions, as well as if negative consequences are shown or if the victim of the behavior is the main character.