Social learning theory proposes that social learning occurs when the individual observes a modeled behavior that he or she likes, observes an action if the model has a role model or admired status and when a person imitates a learned behavior (Bandura, & Ribes-Inesta, 1976). The basic foundations of the theory are applied to educational policies, understanding psychological disorders, training courses, behavioral modeling, media, and has a myriad of further applications in today's society. Another application of the theory is for criminals, violence and aggression. Whether it is violence in the media, domestic violence, community violence, bullying and others, aggression and violent behaviors can be dissected and exposed using social learning theory. Social learning theory is one of the most commonly used behavioral theories regarding criminology and aggression. Albert Bandura, one of the most important contributors to social learning theory, believed that aggression could not be explained by a simplistic theory of behaviorism. By looking at aggression, Bandura sought to discover how aggressive behaviors are established, why they behave antagonistically, and how to determine whether an individual will continue to exhibit patterns of aggression (Evans, 1989). The three main propositions of social learning theory are that social learning occurs from observation and internal reinforcement; and that learning a behavior does not necessarily mean that a person will demonstrate those actions. Social cognitive theory builds on this last point and is based on the idea that people's morality influences social learning. Ultimately, Bandura believed that the two theories should converge and provide a better way to understand social l...... middle of paper ...... dren in america: a gallup poll report. Princeton, NJ: Gallup Organization.Isom, MD (1998, November 30). Social learning theory. Retrieved from http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/bandura.htmMihalic, S. W., & Elliott, D. (1997). A social learning theory model of marital violence. Journal of Family Violence, 12(1), 21-47. O'Connell, P., Pepler, D., & Craig, W. (1999). Peer involvement in bullying: Ideas and challenges for intervention. Journal of Adolescence, 22, 437-452. Patterson, G. R. (1975). Families: Applications of social learning to family life. Champaign, IL: Research Press. Robbins, S. P., Chatterjee, P., & Canda, E. R. (2005). Contemporary human behavior theory: A critical perspective for social work (2nd edition). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.Standing, E. M. (1998). Maria montessori: her life and work. New York, NY: Penguin Group.