Behavioral theorists explain post-publicity suicides after a celebrity suicide through which phenomenon?

Behavioral theorists explain post-publicity suicides after a celebrity suicide through which phenomenon?

• A. Modeling
• B. Fear
• C. Hopelessness
• D. Helplessness

Answer: (A)

Modeling, through observational learning, best explains post-publicity suicides after a celebrity suicide. When a famous figure takes such an action and the event is highly publicized, people may imitate the behavior after observing the model, especially if they identify with the figure or see the act as a way to cope with distress or gain attention. The process involves paying attention to the model, retaining what was observed, being able to reproduce the behavior, and having motivation to imitate. This is the classic copycat or Werther effect. The other options describe internal states (fear, hopelessness, helplessness) rather than the learning process of imitation that behavioral theories emphasize.

Modeling, through observational learning, best explains post-publicity suicides after a celebrity suicide. When a famous figure takes such an action and the event is highly publicized, people may imitate the behavior after observing the model, especially if they identify with the figure or see the act as a way to cope with distress or gain attention. The process involves paying attention to the model, retaining what was observed, being able to reproduce the behavior, and having motivation to imitate. This is the classic copycat or Werther effect. The other options describe internal states (fear, hopelessness, helplessness) rather than the learning process of imitation that behavioral theories emphasize.