A study was conducted to explore the hypothesis that heavy television viewing, particularly the viewing of a great deal of violence, cultivates certain misconceptions about social reality. Four counties in Florida were selected for the study on the basis of geographical location and amount of violent crime. Survey questionnaires were administered…

Concludes that adolescent aggression increases with perceived reality of television violence. (FL)

Replies to Paul Hirsch's rejoinder to Gerbner et al's findings on cultivation analysis. (See EJ 240 175-177.) Addresses the use of the National Opinion Research Center/ General Social Surveys. Concludes that Hirsch's appraisal of cultivation theory and his reasons for rejecting the concepts of mainstreaming and resonance are unwarranted and…

Annual progress report sums up findings suggesting that fear and inequity may be television's most pervasive lessons. 1978 Index shows violence up in children's hours. (PD)

The evidence in behalf of the power of parents and others to modify TV's impact is, in fact, evidence that educators have an equally great--or even greater--role to perform. (Author)

Any attempt to gain insight into the effects of television on the viewing public must also include an assessment of the amount and patterns of viewing by the various segments of the general population. This fourth volume of technical reports to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Television and Social Behavior attempts to provide a new picture of…

This subcommittee hearing report presents testimony of television network officials, academic researchers, and consumer representatives concerning the social and behavioral effects of portrayed violence on television, especially as it relates to children. It also provides documents used as attachments to the oral testimony and written statements…

While violence on television may serve as an instigation or model for real life violence, there may be other, more positive effects of violent portrayals, such as entertainment or catharsis of hostile feelings. A study was conducted to assess the effects of violent television in natural settings with preadolescent and adolescent boys. For a…

Discussion of teenage television viewing focuses on a study of secondary school students in Belfast (Northern Ireland) that examined viewing habits. Highlights include the amount of television watched; effects on reading; the influence of violence; parents' responsibility and control over viewing; models for behavior; and negative views of…

This review of recent empirical research on the effects of television on children and teenagers begins by examining the results of two surveys which were conducted to determine the opinions of experts in the field. A brief statement of the findings indicates that experts generally agree that television harms formal scholastic achievement while…

Three hypotheses could explain a positive correlation between violence viewing and social aggressiveness in adolescents: 1) Heavy exposure to television (TV) violence somehow reinforces or induces aggressive tendencies; 2) An aggressive child is more likely to be attracted to violent TV programs; 3) Some third factors exist which could cause both…

An earlier study (ED 048 772) sought to determine the perceptions of televised violence among pre-teen males from varying racial and socio-economic backgrounds. In this replication of the study teenage boys were used as subjects. The general method of the study was to show the boys a sequence of television vignettes, comprised of violent and…

The value of "cultivation analysis" as a theoretical and analytic framework for investigating the effects of television has been questioned. This study suggests that of the viewing/reality variables, the most important is perceived law enforcement program realism, a variable generally excluded from cultivation analysis studies. (PD)

The author presents ways in which media, especially television, effects social processes in early adolescence (ages 10 to 15). Research is reported which substantiates social characteristics which may emerge as a direct result of media influence. (Editor/KC)

Examines types of adventure show content (violence, conflict, realism, and action) and viewer characteristics which may influence program liking. Findings suggest that the average viewer somewhat dislikes the typical violence portrayed in adventure shows; emotional conflict, however, seems to enhance liking for adventure shows. (PD)