IDENTIFIERS *Prime Time Television

This study examined the portrayal of eight specific behaviors in prime time television in general, and on those television shows preferred by 1,042 children in preschool through grade 6 who were surveyed to determine their favorite television shows, books, and school subjects. Researchers examined prime time television programs for a period from October 15 through November 19, 1987, for the following behaviors: (1) use of math; (2) reading; (3) positive references to religion; (4) cigarettes; (5) alcoholic drinks; (6) someone attacked; (7) someone shot at; and (8) someone killed. The incidence of these behaviors was correlated with the entire sample of programs, and with the sample representing the children's favorites. It was found that the occurrence of math was the only similarity between the two sets of programs; the children's favorites had less violence, less drinking and smoking, and fewer positive references to religion than the total sample, but conversely, had more references to reading. The occurrence of these behaviors was also examined by time slot, and a relationship was found between the time of broadcast and the occurrence of drinking, smoking, and reading. The discussion summarizes these findings, and also considers the implications of these findings for parents of school age children. The text is supplemented by nine tables, and copies of the student questionnaire and the form used by observers to evaluate prime time programs for the eight behaviors are appended. (27 references) (EW) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document