According to Bandura, how are aggressive behaviors linked to watching violent TV?

The connection between aggressive behaviors and exposure to violent television content, as articulated by Bandura, primarily hinges on the concept of observational learning. Observational learning suggests that individuals can acquire new behaviors simply by watching others, especially when those behaviors are associated with significant outcomes. When a viewer observes characters in violent scenarios engaging in aggressive acts, they may find themselves modeling that behavior, particularly if those characters are rewarded for their actions or if the violence is portrayed as effective in solving problems.

In Bandura's experiments, such as the famous Bobo doll study, children who witnessed an adult behaving aggressively towards the doll often mimicked that aggression. This demonstrated that rather than learning through direct reinforcement or punishment, individuals, especially children, can learn behavioral patterns simply by observing the actions of others in their environments. Therefore, the relationship between watching violent television and aggressive behavior can be attributed to the principle of observational learning, as viewers internalize and replicate what they have seen.