had to rely solely on the affects of their own actions to inform them what to do. .
Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling that is, .
from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed and on .
later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action" (Bandura, 22). Social .
Learning Theory explains human behavior in terms of continuous reciprocal interactions .
between cognitive, behavioral, an environmental influences.
Today, films and television illustrates violence graphically. Violence is often .
expressed as an acceptable behavior, especially for heroes who have never been .
punished. Because television violence is produced in such an action packed form they .
see through the negativity of it. Also, television teaches children that they can solve their .
problems by using violence. In many television shows aimed towards children, such as .
the "Power Rangers", they portray the good characters having to resort to violence in able .
to defeat the bad characters. Children view the Power Rangers as heroes, saving the .
world from aliens and other bad guys. Television violence for children who watch this .
show may presume that the Power Rangers use violence to prevent bad things. Looney .
Tunes is another good example. Falling off cliffs and shooting people is typical in one .
half-hour program. A personal experience of the influence television violence has on .
children occurred to me over the summer. While visiting family in California, my two .
nephews kicked me as I walked in to the living room where they had been watching .
television, and they just laughed about it. When I asked them why they had kicked me .
they said they were ninjas and they were going to defeat me, the bad guy. Television .
violence perceived by children affects children's thoughts, actions, and the way they live. .
Rarely are the long-term consequences of violence portrayed on television.
