Discusses a study to determine if anticipatory reactions contribute significantly to children's television-viewing behavior. Four form complexity variables (set, shot, verbal interaction, and modal complexity) and two visual/verbal interaction variables (congruence and independence) are studied using groups of children 4 to 5 years old and 7 1/2…

Describes research undertaken to determine third- and fifth-grade children's television viewing preferences in a choice of adult or children's television shows. Two studies were carried out: (1) distribution of a forced choice questionnaire, and (2) showing of an edited videotape introduction to shows listed in the questionnaire. (SW)

Results of this study indicate that violent content in comic cartoon programs is recognized as violent by children, and not regarded as merely humorous. (Author/STS)

Examines first- , third- , and sixth-grade children's abilities to discriminate between the reality and fantasy of television programs. Lengthy clinical interviews were conducted with each of 36 children, including viewing and discussion of 12 videotaped program segments. (SW)

Investigates the efficacy of including peer interaction in television advertising directed to children. Results suggest that this variable provides increased liking for commercials, but does not affect product desirability. Nine references are cited. (Author/MER)

This study of the capacity of television to influence children's attitudes and behavior towards other racial groups examined children's playmate preference after viewing racially integrated television programs. Testing for delayed effects and generalization of effects extended previous work in the area. (JVP)

Explores the role children's cartoon programs may play in forming sex role identities in children through the presentation of sex-typed personality attributes of the cartoon characters. Fourteen dependent variables of cartoon character personality were analyzed by sex of the character and sex of the viewer. (JVP)

Charts the number and nature of nonfiction children's series broadcast over ABC, CBS, and NBC from 1948 through 1979 to assess whether educational and informational programs were appreciably different from those that existed when the 1974 Federal Communication Commission report was issued. Little significant change is apparent. (Author/MER)

A language sample and television viewing log were collected from 93 preschool children to explore the relationship between viewing habits and spoken language. Findings showed a negative inverse relationship between language sophistication levels and television exposure, and suggested support for an environmentalist theory of language development.…

Presents a content analysis of the prosocial and aggressive content of a sample of child-oriented television commercials and compares the results with a similarly conducted study of child-oriented television programs. (JVP)

This examination of the distribution of power among television professionals, educators, and researchers, as well as the level of participation in decision making by educators and researchers, concludes that these two groups serve as advisors to the professional production staff. The CTW model is cited, and references are listed. (MER)

Reviews literature on pronutrition messages in children's commercials and describes a study involving children ages 3 to 14 to test the effectiveness of incorporating health information disclosures into actual television commercials for highly sugared cereal and candy products. Results indicate most children were able to recall and make sense of…

A content analysis of television programs presented during times likely to have high proportions of children in the audience indicated that entertainment programs contain messages about the political system which are often negative or inaccurate. (Author/MER)

Examines the level and nature of parental guidance regarding television exercised by academics with an active interest in mass media. It also focuses on the relationship of that guidance to beliefs they hold about the effects of television, to characteristics of their scholarship, and to basic demographic information. (Author/JJD)

This study of children's understanding of commercial audio and video network techniques which are designed to communicate the balanced breakfast concept indicates that children show a general lack of concept understanding. Thirteen references are cited. (Author/MER)