Children's attention to television, measured by visual attention and by self-reports, varied in this study depending on the comprehensibility of the content. Results suggest, however, that comprehensibility may be of limited value in explaining older children's active television viewing. (PD)

Applied experimental techniques to demonstrate that augmenting spatial context by using multiple monitors (each for a different participant in a public affairs television production) can improve message retention. Notes that adopting such procedures in televised instruction to foster learning should be explored. (PD)

In this study, three- to five-year-olds viewed an eight-minute version of the program "Diff'rent Strokes" and then were asked to reenact the story with dolls and props. Analyses of their versions showed that 70 percent of the children comprehended most of the event clusters of the program. (PD)

Summarizes results from a series of psychological experiments about how people process information from television and discusses the results in relation to six issues, including size of stimulus units and complexity of television stimuli. (DF)

Suggests that the fact that every country has its own system of cultural values and beliefs that decides the popularity of television programs, which plays a decisive role in influencing the types of shows imported from the United States. (DF)

Deals with an open-government innovation that many cities are adopting: television coverage of city council meetings. Survey data show that less-educated, lower-income, and minority individuals watch the coverage at least as much as the more-advantaged segments of the community. Reasons for television viewing are explored. (PD)

Indicates that (1) affinity, selectivity, and involvement predicted intentionality; (2) pass time motives, perceived realism, and reduced intentionality predicted nonselectivity; (3) pass time motives and reduced affinity predicted distractions; (4) information and nonentertainment motives, perceived realism, and intentionality predicted…

Viewing television requires mental effort. Among the findings in this study, results indicated that more mental effort was required to process simple video and auditory information than complex information because the cognitive system is activated to a higher degree by complex messages and thus processes information more efficiently. (PD)

Examines the development of children's ability to differentiate among informational, instructional, and persuasive television messages. Found high comprehension of narrative content even by the youngest children, but correct perception of message intent occurred primarily among older children. (PD)

Reappraises the relationship between television use and reading achievement. Concludes that what change there is in reading skills does not seem to be related consistently to time spent viewing TV. Suggests that the question of the influence of media use on reading achievement requires a more sophisticated approach than has been applied in the…

Investigated how children (ages 4 to 9) perceive stereotypes in television programs. Found that they use their existing knowledge of traditional sex roles to account for activities both witnessed and presupposed. Concludes that children make informed judgments about television sex roles by referring to their developing scripts of social life. (PD)

Describes the basic method of using naturally occurring settings for research on media effects. Suggests research questions that could be studied and identifies settings (and media markets) most promising for such research. (PD)

Survey of students (grades 6-12) reveals that those who were heavy viewers of crime shows were more likely to have anticivil libertarian attitudes. Results indicate that television entertainment may be an important source of political learning. (PD)

Analyzes primetime commercial television content showing that heroes, villains, and secondary characters are almost always being rewarded or justified when commiting antisocial acts, frequently portrayed as being internally motivated. The context is also portrayed as very antisocial. (SD)

Confirmed expectations that emotional reactions to the movie, "The Day After," would increase with age. Found also that nonpermissive parents (those who had prevented a child from viewing the movie) were more likely than permissive parents to have been upset by the movie. (PD)