NCJ Number
46544
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
RESEARCH FINDINGS ON THE EFFECTS OF TELEVISION ON SOCIAL BEHAVIOR ARE REVIEWED, AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE RESEARCH FOR POLICY DECISIONS IN THE AREA OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMING ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
A REVIEW OF EVIDENCE FROM THE U.S. SURGEON GENERAL'S REPORT AND RELATED RESEARCH AND AN EXAMINATION OF THE EVIDENCE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF RELEVANT PSYCHOLOGICAL MODELS SUGGESTS THE FOLLOWING: (1) TELEVISION EXPOSURE TO VIOLENT INCIDENTS ON TELEVISION CAN PRODUCE LONG-TERM EFFECTS ON SOCIAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR; (2) THE IMPACT VARIES WITH OTHER INFLUENCES IN THE ENVIRONMENT (PARENTS, PEERS, OCCUPATION, ETC.); AND (3) THE EFFECTS ARE FILTERED THROUGH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SET, OR MENTAL FRAMEWORK, OF THE INDIVIDUAL. TELEVISION IS BY NO MEANS A PRIME CAUSAL AGENT IN VIOLENCE. TELEVISION'S EFFECTS CAN BE MODERATED, MINIMIZED, NEGATED, OR OTHERWISE CHANGED BY OTHER INFLUENCES. IN LIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE, THE FOLLOWING POLICY ALTERNATIVES ARE APPARENT: (1) CONTINUE RESEARCH INTO NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF TELEVISION, WITH A VIEW TO MONITORING TRENDS, ASSESSING SOCIAL VIOLENCE LEVELS, AND DIAGNOSING PREDISPOSITIONS THAT MAY BE CONDUCIVE TO VIOLENCE; (2) CONTINUE RESEARCH INTO THE ROLE OF TELEVISION IN SOCIALIZATION; (3) PROVIDE CONSUMER EDUCATION TO HELP PARENTS GUIDE THEIR CHILDREN'S TELEVISION-VIEWING HABITS; (4) DIRECT CONSUMER ACTIONS TOWARD NETWORKS, THEIR LOCAL AFFILIATES, AND SPONSORS (E.G., BOYCOTTING PRODUCTS OF SPONSORS OF VIOLENT PROGRAMS); AND (5) GIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION TO COMMUNITY-CONTROLLED TELEVISION OR NATIONAL PURPOSIVE PROGRAMMING (DESIGNED TO FULFILL SPECIFIC SOCIAL GOALS). A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)