Perception; *Television Research; Television Viewing

Programs broadcast by the three major television networks that portrayed contemporary American families were analyzed for one week to discern the frequency of specified televised marital and parental role behaviors. The purpose of this content analysis was to determine what behaviors the television spouses displayed toward--each other and toward their children. Televised-marital7Eid-parental role behaviors are_usually conflict free emphasizing affectionate and altruistid-concerns for one's spouse and children. According to the culturalnorms theoruvtelevision can influence.viewerso behavior patterns by structuring its "messages " in certain repetiilie ways. These marital and parental role behaviors on television can serve as imitative models for the viewer, enabling him to learn appropriate behavior for future. use. (Author) Documents acquired by ERIC include many informal unpublishe