With his high-energy editing and trademark backward cap, 'Crash-Test Cody' has become a viral sensation among primary school-aged children. Parents and teachers, however, are deeply concerned about his influence. Many report that children have begun imitating Cody’s destructive physical pranks, such as violently kicking over other pupils' block towers, knocking books off desks, and yelling "Wrecked!" while crossing their wrists in an 'X' shape. One year-group leader commented: "During lunch break, several seven-year-olds smashed a collaborative cardboard fort that another group had spent hours building, then stood over it screaming 'Wrecked!' with their wrists crossed—which is Cody's exact signature reaction whenever he wrecks a target in his videos."
Dr. Marcus Thorne, a developmental psychologist, noted that this behavior is a clear example of observational learning: "Young children identify strongly with charismatic, high-status media figures. When they see these influencers receiving millions of likes, cheers, and positive reinforcement for physical disruption, they internalize these aggressive acts as highly rewarded and desirable, leading to direct imitation in their own peer groups."
Using your psychological knowledge of Bandura et al. (1961) and the transmission of aggression, suggest how a primary school could manage and reduce the pupils' imitation of the aggressive behaviours shown by the online influencer.
