Reference group theory suggests that a perceived similarity between interacting individuals leads to future interaction, increased source credibility, and more frequent agreement on specific issues. This study shows how the reference group theory applies to the authoritarian television character Archie Bunker and television viewers that watch…

Discusses four issues: (1) whether televised messages exist in sufficient quantity, are produced by certain structures and are broadcast widely enough to cause concern to governments; (2) whether there are people who are exposed to these messages over a long enough period to have an impact; (3) the nature of television's influence; and, (4) the…

Tests were administered pre, during, and post telecast of Plaza Sesamo to children in lower class day-care centers in Mexico City. Results indicate significant differences between control and experimental groups in general knowledge, numbers, letters, and words as taught by Plaza Sesamo. (Author/BJG)

This paper contains handouts and materials for use in a college level nonfiction television writing course. Following a description of the course and its assignments and texts, the major portion of the paper contains samples of various script formats, including a news commentary, a commercial advertisement, a documentary, and public and community…

Based on research suggesting spatial zones of proximity in human behavior (individuals have definable zones of intimate, personal, social, and public space), it was hypothesized that "framed shots" of people on television screens would suggest specific distances to the viewer. The hypotheses were that subjects would estimate a greater…

The advantages and disadvantages of presenting telecourse video programs are discussed with respect to three basic delivery modes used by Austin Community College (ACC): broadcast television, cable television, and videotapes in libraries and other public facilities. First, background information is presented about Austin, the local availability of…

There are benefits to be gained by integrating social cognition research with communication research, especially with regard to the effects of television viewing on child development. Social cognition brings innovative theoretical and methodological approaches to the field of communication, permits a more complete characterization of the child in…

According to J. Piaget, the child continually constructs or refines previous constructions in defining reality. Taking Piaget's lead, a study attempted to describe how children construct reality, with particular emphasis on the role of television in that construction. Four young children were observed and audio taped in viewing situations in their…

This report presents the highlights of research activities conducted in 1980 by the Office of Communication Research (OCR), whose job it is to serve the information needs of five distinct entities: the United States Congress, national public broadcasting agencies, local public radio and television stations across the country, decision-making…

Predicated on the assumption that if teachers are to have a positive influence on the reading and television viewing habits of their students it is important for them to be aware of their own reading and viewing habits, a study was conducted to determine whether teachers spent more time reading or watching television. Fifty-six teachers in an…

Two hundred fifty residents of a southern California city responded to a telephone survey designed to assess audience interests in and preferences for local television newscasts. The respondents were asked to rank, in order of their preference, six major news catagories: issues, unexpected events, entertainment, sports, weather, and banter between…