Develops a typology of persuasive attack strategies. Identifies two key components of persuasive attack: responsibility and offensiveness. Describes several strategies for intensifying each of these elements. Applies this analysis to "Dateline NBC"'s allegations that Wal-Mart's "Buy American" campaign was deceptive. Concludes…

Employs a dramatistic system based on the critical frameworks of Kenneth Burke and Northrop Frye to analyze 903 prime-time network television series. Classifies series as ironic, mimetic, leader-centered, romantic, or mythical. Concludes that over the period from 1974-91, series went from individualism, to idealism and authority, to authority…

Examines ethical dilemmas associated with using entertainment television for prosocial development. Discusses the ethics of distinguishing prosocial from antisocial television content; depicting socio-cultural equality through television programs; limiting the unintended effects of television programs; and using television as a persuasive tool to…

Identified patterns that characterized soap operas, cartoons, and prime-time drama: (1) the predominant form of interaction was dyadic; (2) the most frequent speakers and receivers of messages were males; (3) the most pervasive message was an assertion of dominance; and (4) the concept of power was not sex-linked. (PD)

Examines patterns of television viewing and viewing motivations for the "PTL Club" in light of the recent PTL scandal. Extracts the ritualized user and a modified version (curious consumer) of the instrumental user only. Discusses implications for the future of religious television. (SR)

Examined the verbal climate of Saturday morning programs by assessing: (1) prevalence of supportive, defensive, or neutral statements; (2) types of interpersonal responses-- aggressive, negative, positive, or neutral; and (3) general program variables as tone, format, character features, etc. The most obvious message offered was the White male's…

Compares three television networks' treatments of "A New Beginning" (a Reagan campaign film shown at the 1984 Republican National Convention) and examines the effects on viewers of one network's critical preview of the film. Assesses the uses and limitations of rhetorical criticism in television coverage of political campaigns. (SR)

Examines the relationship of interpersonal homophily and self-esteem with the development of parasocial interaction. Finds that "attitude" homophily was the strongest predictor of parasocial interaction for all three groups of television performers. Shows how an integration of interpersonal and mass communication theories contributes to…

Studies sexual morality in one year of programing of the soap opera "All My Children." Reconceptualizes definitions of inappropriate sexual behavior to deemphasize marital status. Examines use of force in sexual contact. Finds that men, often heroes, engage in and are rewarded for aggressive sexual behavior in spite of women's protests.…

Argues that courtroom trials observed face-to-face are distinct from televised mediated trials and the different rules result in very different things being communicated to an audience. Cautions that televised trials should be approached as a media event that represents a discrete genre of television programing. (KEH)