Presents findings of a study of viewers' ability to detect changes in conducting beat patterns. Reports that music education majors were significantly better able to detect tempo decreases than increases and better able than nonmajors to detect decreases. Indicates that nonmajors were better able than majors to identify tempo increases. (SG)

Three empirical studies focused on viewer reactions to ethical issues in television news, and on actions audience members felt were appropriate to control possibly unethical behaviors in television broadcasting. The first study was a 12-minute telephone survey of 293 randomly selected adults in Minneapolis-St. Paul (Minnesota) in 1989 to determine…

This report summarizes the findings of a research project involving a consortium of American art museums that joined forced to understand themselves better from the perspective of their visitors. The project had three objectives: (1) to identify staff expectations and impressions of public expectations about art museums; (2) to evaluate public…

Discusses the limitations of previous energy conservation programs in affecting the behavior of individual consumers. Suggests that the rational-economic model upon which they were based needs to be supplemented with alternative psychosociological models in developing future programs. (EVL)

Presents results of a study that explored the effect of overt categorization on musical preference. Found no difference in choices of nonmusic majors when choices were structured as stipulated, unstipulated, or free form categories. Finds musical experience and gender affected preferences for pop and jazz, but not for rock music. (DK)

This investigation compared 19 adolescents' perceptions of the nonspeech personality characteristics of voice-disordered and normal-speaking children. Listeners, who rated recorded speech samples, showed a significant tendency to judge the normal speakers more positively than the voice-disordered speakers. Results suggest developmental trends in…

In this paper, the authors depict performance ethnography as having multiple ethical dimensions and multiple implications for the relationships between the evaluator and program participants. They have found performance ethnography to be essentially an intimate form of representation that has tremendous implications for the ownership of…

Noting that several current communication theories suggest that the media have a "persuasive" effect on American society, a study compared the effects of two media (the electronic medium of television and the spoken medium of the homily) and whether these media have different effects on their audience's perceptions of reality. A national phone…

This study, with 60 mothers of infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities, examined the effectiveness of using videotapes as part of a group parent education program. Parents in the group that saw the videotapes reported less perceived stress, a more positive view of their child's functioning, and higher levels of perceived belonging…

Reports on a study of 815 elementary and secondary students and adults on the types of evidence referred to in art historical interpretation. Finds that participants referred to four general types of evidence: (1) artist; (2) viewer; (3) culture; and (4) perception. (CFR)

Argues that both religion and the arts provide primary evidence for understanding human history. Maintains that the marginalization of both subjects denies students insights into some of the fundamental subjective experiences of humankind. Provides a few examples of the interconnection between the arts and religion. (MJP)

Attempts a sociopolitical portrait of Russia's young people through an examination of their motion picture viewing habits combined with other survey responses. Discovers that most Russian youth are disinterested in politics, prefer violent Western movies, and remain concerned about crime although they are personally optimistic. Recommends…

Provides an overview of the research on mass media effects on perceptions of crime danger, personal fear of crime, and reactions to crime risk. Discovers that mass media effects involve a number of variables and moderators. These include audience characteristics, degree and type of coverage, and location. (MJP)

Presents the results of a study where musicians listened to 20 minutes of Puccini's, "La Boheme," and indicated which of the five musical elements (melody, rhythm, timbre, dynamics, or everything) commanded their attention. Two groups responded using differing instructions for the Continuous Response Digital Interface. Analyzes the different…

Criticizes the growing practice of using children's art in the service of political causes. Discusses a recent exhibit that included Iraqi children's art in support of the Intifada and in condemnation of Israel. Questions the ethics of this for art educators and its effectiveness as political persuasion. (MJP)