Questions for Discussion
1 Recently, a construction management senior at a Louisiana university was picking up his friends from Fred’s Bar & Grill near campus when his Chevrolet Silverado was stolen and totaled by a 20 year old from Alabama. A local news report stated that he left his truck to enter the bar, while a girlfriend remained inside the truck. The Alabama man jumped into the truck and began to tear through the parking lot, hitting other vehicles, a tree, and three pedestrians. Officers at the scene said the Alabama man stated he wanted to act like he was in the “Grand Theft Auto” video game. Use modeling theory and/or social cognitive theory to explain how individuals, such as in this incident, may copy behavior they see on television, films, video games, etc.
2 Discuss what you know about modeling and social cognitive theory. What conditions must be present or make it more likely that a behavior will be copied? What are the stages or steps that individuals often go through when adopting a modeled behavior? What other factors must be considered that aid in understanding this relationship? Address the three-way relationship suggested by social cognitive theory
