Applies the Gerbner, et al, theory of television "mainstreaming" to political orientations. Analyzes survey data to show the political attitudes of heavy, medium, and light TV viewers. Suggests new ways of thinking about television and the formation of political perspectives. (PD)

A secondary analysis of four General Social Surveys was performed to determine television's role in reducing social differentiation in the United States. An investigation of the extent to which television is associated with reduction in geographic regional impact on social and political attitudes indicates heavy viewers have more homogeneous…

Analyzes national data and determines that an intercohort decline in vocabulary at all or most educational levels in recent years was closely related to an intercohort decline in newspaper reading. Includes six figures and four tables illustrating these conclusions. (CFR)