A 1977-1978 study revealed that intimate sexual acts on commercial prime time television occurred once or more per hour but that there was a distinct downward slope in the overall rate of occurrence from 1976 to 1978. The most prevalent sexual references were to intercourse among nonmarried partners. (GT)

Projecting data from this content analysis, the authors concluded that viewers who watch one hour of prime-time programing each evening throughout the year would see over 2,700 irregular driving acts; over 250 acts in which people are endangered; 80 auto-caused deaths and injuries; and only 15 cases of seat-belt usage. (PD)

Examines the portrayal of intimate sexual behavior on soap operas and concludes that soap operas have more sexual content than do prime-time programs, but the types of intimacies differ. Notes that soap operas are potentially a major force in the transmission of values and sexual information to youthful viewers. (PD)

Based on previous research findings and original data from school children in grades 3-6, this study examines children's perceptions of reality in television as an intervening variable between exposure to the medium and the effect of television messages. The specific focus of the current research was to isolate and identify factors which have…