Social Learning Theory

The social learning theory maintains that people learn new behavior by observing one another's actions. If such actions yield positive results, then people are more inclined to imitate those behaviors. In the context of media, viewers of movies or television shows may identify themselves with the cast and model their lives after the fictional characters'. When these characters are rewarded for their illegal or irresponsible behavior on screen, viewers are further encouraged to mimic them.

"Weeds" is a comedy-drama television series that promotes such observational learning because it rewards rather than punishes corrupt behavior. It follows the lives of suburban housewife and recently widowed Nancy Botwin and her family. Having just lost her husband Judah to death by heart attack, the series begins with Nancy dealing marijuana to support her family. After several seasons of trial and resolution, Season 5 concludes with Nancy's son Shane murdering an adversary with a croquet mallet.

The following video is the preview for Season 6, which premiered on August 16th:

The trailer reveals that, after Shane kills Pilar, the Botwins are on the run as they take on their new identities as the "Newmans." The scenes show the "Newmans" attempting to lead normal, "law-abiding" lives with a humorous twist. At the conclusion of the video, Nancy resorts back to dealing. Instead of weed though, she deals hash.

Rather than facing authorities and turning Shane in for the murder, the Botwins evade the law for a fresh start. Though they profess to wanting to lead normal lives, they eventually return to their previous crimes. By masking these felonies with humor, the show makes crimes such as dealing/smoking weed, murder, and aiding and abetting seem acceptable to society. It downplays the gravity of misdemeanors by showing how much fun the Botwins are having and how they are able to live above the law. The show also encourages viewers to smoke weed by making marijuana seem prevalent and easily obtained. The fact that the Botwins always somehow escape ill consequences only further encourages the audience to imitate them and reap the "benefits" depicted in the show.

Picture Source: http://smallscreenscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/weeds-season-6-poster.jpg