Social learning theory is one of the frameworks that are widely used to understand criminal and deviant behavior. Essentially, this theory holds that such issues as one’s neighborhood and their peers play an important role in shaping their behavior (Salisbury, 2012). For example, as part of their effort to belong, an individual may join his peers in committing crimes. The social learning theory relates to the debate surrounding violent media and its link to violent aggression. It is believed by many that exposure to violent media inspires aggression among adolescents. Social learning theory postulates that direct exposure and a desire to fit in are among the issues that define individual behavior (Dijkstra et al., 2010). With regard to violent media and aggression, this theory would suggest that as they watch their peers consume violent media and engage in violent behavior, individuals may develop similar tendencies.
As noted above, there is a belief held by many that violence in media is responsible for aggression. Personally, I find that there is no causal link between the two factors. There is some research which has established that violent aggression may be the result of exposure to violent media. Furthermore, some cases of violence have been blamed on such media. For example, a school shooter who killed 20 people is believed to have played such video games as World of Warcraft (“Can Violent Video Games”, 2013). While there is strong belief that violent video games are behind violent aggression, there is simply no conclusive evidence that confirms this link. For example, Bushman and Anderson (2015) concluded that violent media is merely a risk factor for aggression and not a cause. Whereas it is true that violent media is not responsible for aggression, there is still a need to limit amount of violent media to which children and adolescents are exposed.
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References
Bushman, B. J., & Anderson, C. A. (2015). Understanding causality in the effects of media violence. American Behavioral Scientist, 59 (14), 1807-21.
Can violent video games play a role in violent behavior? (2013). PBS. Retrieved October 3, 2018 from https://www.pbs.org/video/pbs-newshour-can-violent-video-games-play-a-role-in-violent-behavior/
Dijkstra, J. K., Lindenberg, S., Veenstra, R., Steglich, C., Isaacs, J., Card, N. A., & Hodges, E. V. E. (2010). Influence and selection processes in weapon carrying during adolescence: the roles of status, aggression and vulnerability. Criminology, 48 (1), 187-220.
Salisbury, E. J. (2012). Social learning and crime. In Cullen, F. T., & Wilcox, P. The Oxford handbook of criminology theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
