Pairs of preschool children saw television commercials that varied in formal features (high versus low perceptual salience) and placement in a television show (dispersed through the program versus clustered at the beginning and end). Sixty-four subjects (32 female and 32 male) from a university preschool participated in the study. (Author/RH)

Results indicate respondents do not identify medium-specific or program-specific uses. Lack of differentiation suggests: (1) additional assessment of the relationship of medium and content is needed and (2) medium and content should be considered related variables in uses and gratification research, and research not incorporating their interaction…

Describes the adaptation and testing of a curriculum designed to mediate the effects of television. Curriculum included lessons on special effects, violence, commercials, audio and video aspects. Results of the testing indicate that children in kindergarten through second grade made significant gains in their knowledge of how television works. (PD)

The literature review discusses studies which have been conducted to determine whether television enriches a child's imagination or leads to distortions of reality, and whether adult mediation during a child's television viewing or immediately after can evoke constructive changes or stimulate make-believe play. Thirty-six references are cited.…

Examines the interrelationships among the exposure patterns, functions, and perceptions of television portrayals of the elderly and their self-concept. Suggests that positive portrayals of the elderly on television can be helpful in promoting a positive self-image and a more productive integration into society. (JMF)

Examines television industry's portrayals of various occupations and personality types in television dramas. Raises questions about these one-sided portrayals and their affect on viewers. (PD)

Neither of two types of television ownership--television station multiple ownership or crossownership with a local daily newspaper--was found to have an adverse effect on the quality of local television news (defined as the level of expenditures for such programing). Increased local cable television use was associated with a slight decline in news…

Among the results of an examination of television programing listings during people's time (4:00 to 8:00 p.m.) on three commercial network-affiliated stations were that six of 21 identified program types accounted for 70.2 percent of the programing and that there was no significant difference between the three stations' program offerings. (GT)

Examines the statistical evidence presented by George Gerbner and his colleagues to support the assertion that television viewing cultivates distorted perceptions of the world. Points out discrepancies in the items, samples, and coding categories employed and concludes that the cultivation hypothesis lacks empirical support. (JMF)

Examines forms of communication used in commercials to convey social stereotypes. (Forms refer to production techniques such as level of action or movement, pacing, camera techniques, and auditory features.) (PD)

"Television's only effect on the American voter is to cheapen his conception of the campaign process and to stuff his head full of nonsense and trivia", Thomas E. Patterson and Robert D. McClure, two Syracuse University political scientists, have concluded in a major study of television's role in the 1972 presidential campaign. (Editor)

Explores the interface between ego-involvement and the third person effect. Finds (1) that partisan viewers (pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian) believe that news coverage causes neutral viewers to view their side unfavorably and their antagonist more favorably; and (2) that news coverage did not significantly affect neutral subjects' attitudes. (SR)

Evaluates the pattern of celebratory activities in United States homes that accompanied television viewing of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. Finds that those watching the Olympics were more likely to be in a group, to have visitors, to plan their viewing, and to pay close attention to the television. (MS)

Investigates the cultivation hypothesis by testing two cognitive processes hypothesized to allow viewers to construct television-biased beliefs. Finds the basic cultivation result replicated, but neither process hypothesis was supported. (SR)

States that television has been a "single-station medium" in Israel since 1968, and that cable television is a recent innovation for that country. Describes an experiment that compared houses with cable to ones without, and found that houses with cable had markedly different viewing habits. Concludes that these findings suggest a…