Although previous research has attempted to encompass such overlapping concepts as needs, functions, motives, and gratifications obtained from mass media exposure, no serious attempt has been made to answer the question, "Why do so many people spend so much time watching television?" This project focused on obtaining motives and gratification…

A researcher takes a critical look at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting report of a Roper survey of public television viewers and finds it "littered with procedural and reporting inadequacies." (Author)

Assesses the number of violent episodes aired on television each hour of each day during a one week period, and assesses the rate of this violence which is attributable to each of the major commercial sponsors of television programs. (MH)

This study utilizing data obtained from 695 kindergarten-aged children was designed to examine the effects of "Sesame Street" in a multi-variate framework, and to develop production functions showing contributions to be derived from the production function paradigm, especially the possible results of mixing television viewing with…

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)

Describes patterns of exposure and motivation of adolescent sample group. Correlates findings with race, gender, involvement with peers, attitude toward school, and other personal circumstances. (MS)

Argues that television effects in cross-cultural contexts are bidirectional and cannot be limited to effects on individuals without also studying the way individuals in that culture affect television as it is experienced. (SA)

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)

A look at how KECT-TV, St. Louis, uses viewer enrollment and involvement in order to gain support of the public television station. (Author/HB)

The director of the inter-university research unit in Great Britain argues that the potential of television is still unrealized in higher education. (Editor)

Author argues that the proposed fourth television channel in Britain should be taken from the moguls and made over to education, including an Open School. (Editor/RY)

Concludes that the amount of time children and adults spend viewing television has little to do with their perceptions of violence. (FL)