As the media presents ideas and shows gender in specific ways, children begin to accept that they must act in a certain manner in order to fit in with society. This observational learning is part of the Social Learning Theory.
According to the Social Learning Theory, people have the ability to learn through observing others. Although once used for analyzing the criminal mind, the theory now crosses over into media as well. Because media plays a large role in our daily lives, the theory claims that it can have an effect on our behavior and thoughts. Over time, many begin to adapt to the images and ideologies they see in the media.
The Social Learning Theory is especially accurate in young children and adolescents. From a very young age, boys watch television shows that portray action and violence. Actors, that become heroic in the eyes of the young boys, demonstrate that through brutal force they are able to succeed in whatever situation they given. As a result, many boys then think that it is necessary to be violent or tough. In the film Tough Guise, this idea was closely examined. Through the images that the media delivers, boys and girls quickly learn what they are "supposed" to be. The clip shown below is a further example of this ideology so common in media. Throughout the entire trailer, force and violence seem to be the presented answer to all problems.
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