The Modeling Theory

The modeling theory is also known as the social learning theory.

It contends that an individual perceives a form of behavior described or portrayed by a character in media content.

The individual judges this behavior to be attractive and potentially useful for coping with some personal situation.

Then, the portrayed behavior is reproduced by the individual in a personally relevant situation.

As a result, the reproduced behavior proves useful or effective in coping with the situation, thus rewarding the individual.

With further use, the modeled behavior becomes the person's habitual way of handling that type of situation, unless it is no longer effective and rewarding.

This behavioral theory was popularized and tested by Albert Bandura, when he used inflatable bobo dolls to elicit aggressive behaviors in children.

Psychologist Albert Bandura