Enabling people to communicate could and should become a fourth function for television. Such a development is likely in the post-industrial world. (Author)

Suggests that a television program's benefits to three and four year olds can be significantly increased by the presence of an adult to bridge the gap between actual television performance and limited attention spans. (MH)

Traces the conception, development and formulation of the Family Viewing Plan and contends that Family Viewing represents an important step in the evolution of industrial self-regulation in the public interest. (MH)

Investigates the legal issue of whether the FCC has authority to adopt a rule or policy embodying the family viewing concept. (MH)

This study collected behavioral data on the relationship between children's attentiveness to television commercials and their product requests, using the techniques of operant conditioning and direct observation. (SB)

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…

Examines a census of 1,757 major characters added to broadcast network lineups through new season programming from 1966 to 1992. New characters are examined in terms of gender, age, race/ethnicity, and occupational patterns occurring across 27 years of network program activity. (Author/AEF)

Examines the relationship between well-educated, upper middle-class retirees and their retirement community in the development of discourse that influences television program choices and discussion of content. Finds interest in living in the present, a preference for quality television, and an insistence on "serious" leisure urge residents toward…

Finds sexual imagery more common than religious imagery in a sample of 207 rock, country, and Christian videos, although religious imagery was present in approximately 30% of the videos. Finds that the presence of sexual and religious images in combination occurred more often than would be expected by chance and in relatively equal proportions…

Investigates how the presence of cable television affects parental mediation of television viewing. Finds that children whose homes have cable are exposed to more R and PG movies than their noncable counterparts. Finds little differences in mediation behaviors across pay, basic, and noncable environments. (RS)

Examines a San Francisco television station's decision to accept paid condom advertising. Notes that station leaders debated questions of public interest and public tastes in a city hard hit by AIDS. Finds that the station devised careful guidelines and began broadcasting the commercials on a trial basis. Notes that nearly all public and media…

Examines specularity (the pleasure derived from looking at television) in the context of sports. Argues that televised sports' popularity reflects: (1) fetishism (motivation by fascinated desire); (2) voyeurism (uninvited viewing); and (3) narcissism (identification with athletes). Describes a study of sports telecast viewing. Argues against…

Replicates a 1979 study of sexual behavior on afternoon soap operas, classifying sexual behavior in terms of physical acts, implied acts, and verbal references. Finds a substantial increase in sex between unmarried persons and a norm of promiscuous sex, with few attendant consequences. (MS)

Updates earlier reviews of the research investigating how television viewing and reading might be related. Points out new directions in the research, focusing on research after 1980. Discusses implications for professionals in the field of reading. (SR)

Examines changes in television news and the political campaign process in Columbus, Ohio, in 1978, 1982, and 1986, focusing on the gubernatorial campaigns of those years. Finds that despite technological advances, television coverage of the state governor's race has not changed significantly. (MM)