NCJ Number
46369
Editor(s)
K ANDERSON,
N DENNIS
Date Published
1976
Length
39 pages
Annotation
PROCEEDINGS ARE REPORTED OF A CONFERENCE CONCERNING THE ROLE OF TELEVISION (TV) IN CHILDREN'S LIVES, HELD FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING RESEARCH GUIDELINES FOR USE IN FORMULATING TV POLICY.
Abstract
OPENING SESSIONS DEALT WITH THE NEED FOR BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES RESEARCH AIMED AT UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF TV, FUNDING CONCERNS, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RESEARCH AND FEDERAL POLICY, ISSUES IN REGULATORY ACTION, AND CONFLICTING INTERESTS AND FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN FORMULATING RESEARCH PRIORITIES. FIVE WORKSHOPS WERE HELD TO ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH AIMED AT AIDING IN THE FORMULATION OF REGULATORY POLICIES, PROVIDING INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO WRITE, PRODUCE, OR BROADCAST PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, AND ADVANCING SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE MEDIUM. A NUMBER OF COMMON CONCERNS WERE IDENTIFIED IN ALL FIVE WORKSHOPS. THESE INCLUDED: (1) THE NEED FOR BETTER TRANSLATION OF RESEARCH INTO POLICY AND ACTION; (2) THE NEED TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM UNINTENDED HARM, PARTICULARY THAT ARISING THROUGH BROADCASTS OF VIOLENCE AND ADVERTISING; (3) THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN DERIVE THE GREATEST POSSIBLE BENEFITS FROM TV VIEWING; (4) THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE DISSEMINATION AND EVALUATION OF SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS SO THAT SCIENTIFIC SELF-CORRECTION AND THE RATE OF PRACTICAL APPLICATION MIGHT BE ACCELERATED; AND (5) THE NEED TO INCREASE THE QUALITY AND IMPACT OF RESEARCH ON TELEVISION AND THE YOUNG. SEVERAL ISSUES WERE IDENTIFIED FOR RESEARCH: THE INFLUENCE OF TV WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING YOUNG PEOPLE; TV'S CONTRIBUTION TO PUBLIC AND INDIVIDUAL ATTITUDES, VALUES, EXPECTATIONS, EMOTIONS, AND SKILLS; CORSS-CULTURAL COMPARISONS OF THE MEDIUM'S INFLUENCE ON CHILDREN; DEVELOPMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE INFLUENCE OF TELEVISION ON YOUNG CHILDREN; TELEVISION CONTENT ANALYSIS AND MONITORING; AND SELF-REGULATION, ECONOMICS, AND DECISIONMAKING PROCESSES IN THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY IN RELATION TO THOSE OF OTHER INSTITUTIONS. LONGITUDINAL STUDIES AND THE USE OF MULTIPLE AND COMPLEMENTARY RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF SPECIFIC AREAS AND ISSUES WERE RECOMMENDED. A TABULAR SUMMARY OF TOPICS, METHODS, INNOVATIONS, AND PARTICIPANTS IN ALL FIVE WORKSHOPS IS PRESENTED TOGETHER WITH THEIR FINAL REPORTS TO THE CONFERENCE. A LISTING OF WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR EDUCATIONAL, GOVERNMENT, OR OTHER AFFILIATION IS ALSO PROVIDED. (JAP)