Investigates videocassette recorder (VCR) use in Hong Kong, finding that the VCR does not compete with cinema-going and television viewing, but complements these activities. Confirms research in Western nations regarding VCR use. (SR)

Finds that, among college students, (1) both related and unrelated cuts resulted in cardiac orienting responses; (2) processing unrelated cuts required more capacity than processing related cuts; and (3) memory was better for information presented after related cuts, with this effect greater for visual memory than for audio memory. (SR)

Examines the effects on students of watching "Channel One." Finds a direct effect in that those who watch a television news show in the classroom learn more news and want to buy more of the products they see advertised than those who are not exposed to the program. (RS)

Finds that black representation in television ads exceeded the percentage population distribution of blacks in 1991; lower valued products had higher black model-product interaction than higher valued products; and "black-oriented" shows had a greater percentage of all black ads, ads with blacks in major roles, and ads depicting blacks in skilled…

Finds that undergraduate viewers' schemata can categorize news reenactments as real despite accompanying advisories to the contrary. Finds that visual advisories are more effective than auditory advisories in helping viewers remember reenactments as reenactments, and suggests using distinctive video to draw attention to simulation advisories. (SR)

Finds that, when a censorship disclaimer on a television news story is assessed for its narrative meaning, capacity is increased, and more thought elaboration about the news story takes place. Suggests that disclaimers may be an effective device in messages that are not complex or cognitively demanding but that their effects may be neutralized by…

Tracks changes in the numbers and types of sexual behaviors in prime time network television programs. Finds a substantial decrease in the hourly rates of sexual behaviors in the programs from fall 1987 to fall 1991. (RS)

Contributes to scholarship regarding whether, when, and how feminist formulations of rape made their way into the mainstream by examining 25 episodes of prime-time television featuring rape as a primary plot element from 1976 through 1978. Finds that these episodes bolster hegemonic masculinity by focusing on male protagonists, depicting them as…

Contributes to scholarship on broadcast deregulation and news-source diversity, tracing sourcing patterns on prime-time news across a 12-year period encompassing the deregulation of broadcasting in New Zealand. Finds that increasing commercialism resulted in shorter sound bites; reduced use of official cited sources; and a greater use of nonelite…

Reviews the scientific and public-opinion debate on the impact television violence in America has on aggression and violence. Research supports the view that television violence contributes to children's level of aggressiveness and subsequent violence and criminality. Describes attempts to improve the quality of television programming for children…

Investigates the relationship between undergraduate students' communication tendencies for sending and receiving verbally aggressive messages with their opinions and feelings about a verbally aggressive television show. Shows that verbally aggressive subjects tended to watch more television weekly, did not report being hurt by receiving verbally…

Examines foreign news by analyzing the use of visual images in the television reporting of the Nahalin incident--one of the early major incidents of the "Intifada," the Palestinian popular uprising in Israeli-occupied territories. Uses British, American, and French major news service reports to compare and deconstruct images of political…

Presents the first investigation of the effects of experience with a particular program series on children's subsequent television viewing behavior and comprehension. Notes three- to five-year-old regular, experienced viewers of "Blue's Clues" were compared to new, inexperienced viewers. Suggests that a television series can teach children a style…

Investigates the validity of the television industry's labeling of sensitive program content following the advent of the V-chip television ratings system. Examines programs for the nature and extent of portrayals of violence, sexual behavior and dialogue, and adult language. Suggests there are substantial limitations in the ability of the V-chip…

The purpose of this content analysis was to examine in detail the nature and extent of messages about sex that are presented in the "family hour" on broadcast network television. The research sought to identify any patterns that exist in portrayals of sexual behavior as well as characters' talk about sex, using a sample of programming…