Indicates that prime-time television presents a remarkably consistent portrayal of the world across program genres and that it offers few scheduling alternatives to avoiding violence-laden adventure programs. Finds that the average viewer has little opportunity to exercise any kind of choice in viewing. (JD)

Indicates that (1) less affluent, less educated, and divorced and separated respondents are more inclined than others to watch television to avoid the negative moods that often coincide with solitude and unstructured time; and (2) personality dispositions and internal states are more likely to dictate media use than vice versa. (JD)

Describes patterns of exposure and motivation of adolescent sample group. Correlates findings with race, gender, involvement with peers, attitude toward school, and other personal circumstances. (MS)

Argues that television effects in cross-cultural contexts are bidirectional and cannot be limited to effects on individuals without also studying the way individuals in that culture affect television as it is experienced. (SA)

Finds that the three networks acted alike in their selection of news sources in each convention but that the selection patterns differed over the 12-year period. (FL)

Applied experimental techniques to demonstrate that augmenting spatial context by using multiple monitors (each for a different participant in a public affairs television production) can improve message retention. Notes that adopting such procedures in televised instruction to foster learning should be explored. (PD)

Traces the National Broadcasting Company's pioneer efforts with news film that set new television standards in informational programing. (FL)

Reports that bad news dominates early evening newscasts on the three major television networks in the United States. (FL)

Discusses the Federal Communication Commission's proposal to repeal its financial interest and syndication rules that govern the production and distribution of television programs. (FL)

Reveals that most parents say they see broadcast warning statements and are influenced by them in deciding about programs for their children. (FL)

In this study, three- to five-year-olds viewed an eight-minute version of the program "Diff'rent Strokes" and then were asked to reenact the story with dolls and props. Analyses of their versions showed that 70 percent of the children comprehended most of the event clusters of the program. (PD)

A student-conducted television survey caused the fifth graders to read, think introspectively about their own television viewing habits, conduct interviews, analyze the resulting data, and write about the results. (BW)

Studied the effects of the February 20, 1980, debate involving seven Republican candidates. Results strongly suggest that watching a televised debate early in the presidential primary season can increase respondents' interest in, and knowledge about, the campaign. (PD)

Analyzes the content of local news presented on three television stations in Cincinnati, Ohio, in three different years. Concludes that the stations used sensationalism and human interest stories as reserves to maintain high ratings. (FL)

Analyzed episodes of "All My Children" and "General Hospital," as reported in the 1980 issues of "Soap Opera Digest." Found that moral violations tended to be resolved consistently with traditional moral standards. Suggests that criticisms of soap operas' effects on morals may not be totally warranted. (PD)