Uses three strategies (dividing cultivation into component subprocesses, testing for an intervening variable, and contingent relationships) for elaborating the cultivation hypothesis. Finds evidence that cultivation effects do exist but that dividing the socialization process does not increase the predictive power of the cultivation hypothesis.…

Finds that use of new television technologies (cable television, videocassette recorders, and remote control devices) had an impact on receiving, pass-the-time, and companionship gratifications from television viewing. Shows that instrumental viewing motives, television exposure, and receiving informational gratifications from television viewing…

Examines four individual differences--sensation seeking, religiosity, hostility, and family cohesion--as correlates of drug use and television viewing, to test four corresponding models of addiction: medical/disease, moral, compensatory, and enlightenment. Concludes that models emphasizing personal control and responsibility are more appropriate…

Analyzes television viewing behavior in a naturalistic setting, investigating channel changing and other commercial avoidance behaviors. Finds that channel changing is stimulated more by commercials than by programs and that 90% of channel changers click the switch during commercial breaks, raising serious questions about program and station…

Compares the habits and attitudes of those who subscribed to cable television for better reception with those who subscribed for either greater programing selection or more movies. Finds attitudes vary more than television use between those who subscribe to get better reception and those who subscribe to get more programs. (RS)

Examines the agenda-setting impacts of electronic text news (ETN) and reactions to ETN as a news medium. Finds that electronic news viewers have nearly the same agenda as do users of traditional media. (MM)