Summarizes data from five studies on the viewing and impact of the series "Roots." Findings compared and contrasted studies for frequency of viewing, perceived entertainment, emotional response, relevance to racial relations, and information. (JEG)

This study was conducted to test the relationship between dogmatism and agreement with the television character Archie Bunker among adult Canadians. It was hypothesized that highly dogmatic Canadians would demonstrate the same identification with Archie Bunker that highly dogmatic viewers from the U. S. demonstrate, and it was also hypothesized…

Some critics of broadcasting assert that the authoritarian dimension of entertainment television encourages viewer passivity and the uncritical acceptance of negative social values on the part of some viewers. This paper reviews the research on this topic and presents two new studies that tested the authoritarian impact of entertainment…

The nature of incidental social learning in television viewers of "All in the Family" and "Sanford and Son" was the focus of this investigation. Seven hundred and eight-one racially and economically mixed respondents from Chicago and Atlanta provided the data source. Telephone interviews attempted to assess viewer opinions of…

Random telephone surveys in a northern and a southern city were initiated to determine attitudes toward "informative" and "direct reference" mass media political advertisements. Responses were organized in regional, social, and racial categories. The results quantified reactions to the two types of political messages of blacks…