(no subject)
When your child comes home from school and turns on the television, aren't you worried about what they have turned on and are watching? Well, what if they have turned on professional wrestling? Are you concerned about the violence they are viewing or are you alright with it? From a behaviorist's point of view, children watching professional wrestling is a real danger to the child.
Behaviorism is concerned with the actual behavior of people. It focuses on the objective and observable components of behavior, such as aggression. Behaviorism also emphasizes the role of previous learning experiences in shaping behavior. One of the most powerful behavioral influences on our behavior comes from watching other people. Psychologists call this process observational learning. According to behaviorists, children who view violent television, such as professional wrestling, are more likely to engage in violent behavior.
Adults have the ability to understand that the professional wrestling they see on television is scripted and for entertainment purposes only, however, young children often cannot tell the difference between fantasy and reality. When watching professional wrestling, children are exposed to many negative behaviors, including racial stereotyping, sexual violence and simulated sex, inappropriate role models, obscene gesturing, and the idea that it is okay to settle arguments by fighting. Behaviorists feel that children who see these negative behaviors being carried out by television stars, who are their role models, behave violently in their own environment.
Many behaviorists recommend that parents limit the amount of media violence their children watch, and instead promote programs that demonstrate helping behaviors, caring, and cooperation. Just as watching violent television encourages violent behavior in children, watching cooperative and helping behavior will encourage children to behave in non violent ways.
Behaviorism is concerned with the actual behavior of people. It focuses on the objective and observable components of behavior, such as aggression. Behaviorism also emphasizes the role of previous learning experiences in shaping behavior. One of the most powerful behavioral influences on our behavior comes from watching other people. Psychologists call this process observational learning. According to behaviorists, children who view violent television, such as professional wrestling, are more likely to engage in violent behavior.
Adults have the ability to understand that the professional wrestling they see on television is scripted and for entertainment purposes only, however, young children often cannot tell the difference between fantasy and reality. When watching professional wrestling, children are exposed to many negative behaviors, including racial stereotyping, sexual violence and simulated sex, inappropriate role models, obscene gesturing, and the idea that it is okay to settle arguments by fighting. Behaviorists feel that children who see these negative behaviors being carried out by television stars, who are their role models, behave violently in their own environment.
Many behaviorists recommend that parents limit the amount of media violence their children watch, and instead promote programs that demonstrate helping behaviors, caring, and cooperation. Just as watching violent television encourages violent behavior in children, watching cooperative and helping behavior will encourage children to behave in non violent ways.