Michael grows up in a home where his father is generally unloving toward his mother. He observes his father yell and degrade his mother, and he notices that his mother never resists this treatment. Based on the work of Bandura, what might we predict about Michael's own relationships when he is older?
A) Michael will probably treat women very well, as he rebels against the behaviors he saw in his father.
B) Michael may treat women with discourtesy and disrespect, as he repeats the behavior he saw in his father.
C) Michael will probably have no relationships with women, as his father has taught him that relationships are not worth having.
D) Michael will always be very distant from his father, as he has learned that his father does not care about anyone but himself.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Bandura's social learning theory, individuals learn by observing and modeling others' behavior. In this case, Michael has observed his father treating his mother with disrespect, and his mother not resisting this treatment. This may lead Michael to model this behavior in his own relationships, assuming that this is the "right" way to treat women. Thus, choice B is the most likely outcome for Michael's future relationships.

Michael Grows Up in a Home Where His Father Is