Social Learning Theory On The Relationship Between Beth And Sams

Under the psychological category, the theory that seems to apply the best to Beth and Sam’s relationship is the social learning theory. This theory states that a person is not born with violent behaviors, rather they learn the behaviors through experiences and their environment (Gosselin, 2013 pg. 73). An example of this can be seen in this scenario: A person living under a roof with a family that shows violent behavior towards one another, may learn these behaviors and come to see them as acceptable ways of being in their relationships with others. This theory applies to Beth and Sam’s relationship when emphasizing Sam’s exposure to violence as a child (Sipe, 2013). According to Sipe (2013), as a child Sam witnessed his mom get beat and humiliated constantly by his father. Sam fits under this theory due to his adaptation and acceptance of the violence
This theory focuses on the wide acceptance of family violence, which at different levels society accepts different means of how to resolve conflict (Gosselin, 2013, pg. 71). This theory applies to Beth and Sam’s relationship when it is focused on the time frame of their relationship. In the 1970’s the inferiority of women was a social norm and the violence against women was commonly accepted by males that felt as the superior gender. Males’ resolved conflict the way they wanted to, the way they felt was best. The rejection nor the acceptance of violence against women or family violence appeared to be of importance to society, influencing the violence against women or family violence to be socially/culturally acceptable. A valid critique about this theory is that despite an individual living under social norms like the ones described in Beth’s relationship and under influence of using one’s superiority, not all males become violent, just like not all women will become victims(pg.