To some degree television is the current inheritor of anxiety over the effects of communications from outside the home, and is not alone among mass media in presenting sizeable amounts of violence. However the accessibility, pervasiveness, and very character of television make it the ultimate mass medium, and hence a cause for concern. Television…

Cites excerpts from the Keynote address to the Joint Foundation Conference whose purpose was to formulate guidelines for future research on the role of television in the lives of young people. (MH)

Studies and writings on the effects of television on children are reviewed and summarized. Topics are the young people's pattern of exposure to television, the nature of their viewing experience, the way they respond to television, and the direct effects on their values, attitudes and behavior. Research on the influence of television violence on…

The future of research on the constructive aspects of television in the lives of children is contingent on the resolution of several challenges. First, philosophical conflicts associated with the premise that manipulation through broadcast policy is justifiable must be resolved. It is not certain that there is general agreement about prosocial…

Television is a large part of growing up in America, and a part that meshes in various ways with other influences. Teachers should understand it, and as the occasion requires, confront, correct, or take advantage of it. Research on television viewing yields five lessons. Television experience is an individual one, although there are definite…

Until the 1960's, the prevailing view within the scientific community was that television was a relatively unimportant influence, but studies have shown that television does have an important effect on the behavior of its viewers, particularly aggressive behavior. Consequently, recent research has focused on the role of television in the…

To compile a comprehensive review of English language scientific literature regarding the effects of television on human behavior, the authors of this book evaluated more than 2,500 books, articles, reports, and other documents. Rather than taking a traditional approach, the authors followed a new model for the retrieval and synthesis of…

In light of procedural problems of the social sciences, what is known about television and human behavior was reviewed. It was found that the relevant literature included over 2,300 items of great variety. From the diversity of information considered, the report focused on specific themes which they included: (1) the role of television in behavior…

Summarizes research from the California Assessment Program (1980) and the Foundation for Child Development (1976) concerning the relationship between student academic achievement and television viewing habits. Television in children's lives today and academic achievement--reading, mathematics, written expression--are discussed. Four references are…

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

This article examines the contribution of television and other mass media to alcohol consumption and its abuse. The author notes that there is no scientific evidence available that addresses this point directly, and the importance of such an issue is not recognized in the scientific literature. The absence of this information interferes with the…

A broad search of the scientifically relevant literature on television and human behavior began in the fall of 1973 and extended over a year; the search concentrated on the literature since 1960, although it attempted to include all significant earlier works. In addition, special emphasis was placed on obtaining very recent, hard to locate, and…

Defines pornography, the aspect of sexuality which evokes most attention from the media, and discusses findings of the President's Commission on Obscenity and Pornography and of psychologists who have recently found that exposure to a portrayal where violence and sex are coupled does increase subsequent aggression toward a female. (MBR)

Presents discussion of various studies of the effect of television on aggressive behavior. Argues for a positive and significant correlation between television violence and aggressive behavior. Performs additional tests to solidify conclusions. Provides substantive interpretation. (HB)

Reviews the influence of 25 years of television on family life and the socialization of children, church and religion, enforcement of laws and norms, mass media and leisure, public security, and politics and public affairs. (JMF)