Indicates that prime-time television presents a remarkably consistent portrayal of the world across program genres and that it offers few scheduling alternatives to avoiding violence-laden adventure programs. Finds that the average viewer has little opportunity to exercise any kind of choice in viewing. (JD)

Indicates that (1) less affluent, less educated, and divorced and separated respondents are more inclined than others to watch television to avoid the negative moods that often coincide with solitude and unstructured time; and (2) personality dispositions and internal states are more likely to dictate media use than vice versa. (JD)

Explores how adolescents process information in making decisions about risk behavior. Explains two developmental aspects of adolescent egocentrism: personal fable and imaginary audience, along with individual difference variables. Concludes the deep elaboration message was partially effective in changing message perceptions and adolescents'…

Indicates that younger married couples were both more communicative and satisfied than younger cohabiting couples or older married or cohabiting couples. Suggests that verbal and sexual communication practices of intimates are influenced more by their chronological age than by whether they are married or cohabiting. (JD)

Data analysis from television-viewing surveys suggests that people are not "glued to the box." Rather, the level of repeat-viewing of television--about 60 percent--suggests that television fills the gap between other activities and that the reason people watch television is that they have "so much time to kill." (PD)

Reports on a study designed to test whether or not individuals ingesting alcohol will be less affected by persuasive messages than individuals in a normal state. (PD)

Reports on observations of interpersonal touching behavior patterns among residents of homes for the elderly. Analyzes behavior for Blacks and Whites, males and females, in terms of who initiates touching and parts of the body touched and used for touching. (JMF)

Reveals that 46% of the time with television was spent in some activity instead of or in addition to looking at the TV. Notes that social interaction was the most common nonviewing activity for all viewers, followed by playing and eating for children and reading for adults. Considers how nonviewing behaviors occurred most often during programming…

Explores the argument that television exemplifies the production and reflection of surplus value and that watching, as an activity, reflects the organization of human labor in the economy as a whole. Develops the basis for a materialist theory of the advertising-supported media industries in advanced industrial societies. (JD)

Presents a study demonstrating that aid-giving by children is predicated by nonverbal displays of submission emitted by the child under attack, and that although the children observing the episodes respond to the displays, the aggressor ignores them. (JMF)

Discusses four propositions about television viewing by children of ethnic minorities. Presents several unaddressed issues and priorities for future research. (JMF)

Describes a study of the impact of the first year of television on an Eskimo community by comparing the residents' responses with those of inhabitants of a community without television. Responses indicate a social impact on specific attitudes, but an overall retention of basic Eskimo values. (JMF)

Discusses the impact of television on Cree Indians within the context of their culture. Traditional conceptions about communication cause the Cree to be susceptible to TV, take it literally, idolize the superhero characters, read special messages into it concerning behavior requirements, and to be concerned about its potential harm to children.…

Describes the most recent phase of the long-range research called "Cultural Indicators" which yields an annual television violence profile. This report stresses methodology, current findings on the distribution of power in the world of television drama, and some behavioral correlates of viewing. (JMF)

Examines socioeconomic events surrounding major improvements in telephone service in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. Focuses on five towns at different stages of telecommunications development and relates the increased technology to air travel, use of the mail, changes in fur sales, changes in crime levels, and restructuring of communications…