It's such a controversial topic today, in order to get my own conclusion, I will exam the arguments and studies of two papers: one is "The Function of Television: Life Without the Big Box" by Charles Winick who supports the functions of television; the other is "Some Hazards of Growing Up in a Television Environment" by Jerome L. Singer and Dorothy G. Singer who does not agree that TV should be viewed as much as today and it has already became a society problem. I agree with the view of Singers, in addition, I think this is the problem that should be solved urgently.
Charles Winick considers that most important for children is that they can learn from TV. "The children of today do not need to learn to read as early or to develop an imagination. All their fairy tales, bedtime stories and cartoons are shown in living color on TV". He shows a great children program "Sesame Street" as an example. " It has led to the production of a television program in which the contents are closely based upon knowledge of what young children need to know and about their manner of learning...it's a highly effective educational program which has successfully taught basic skills to children from a range of very different home backgrounds." In Singers' paper, they argue that although the average child spends a great deal of time watching television, they learn very little from the medium.
A common model is the 'hyperdermic syringe model'. According to this model, the media had the power to change attitudes and behaviour for the 'pro-social' as well as the 'anti-social' influence. Empirical research has soon revealed the shortcomings of the hyperdermic syringe model and it was recognized that the effectiveness of the media in getting its message across depended on the personal influence affecting the perceptions of audience members. An alternative of this was the development of the 'two-step flow' which was produced by Katz and Lazarfelo. They believe the way the media is interpreted by audiences is usually involved by a process of negotiation with other members of the audience. They believed instead of passively absorbing media output, a discussion is held between family members, friends and even strangers about the programmes seen on T.V. In this model, opinion leaders emerge to help interpret the message we are being sent. They believed the stimulus relationship between media and audiences was replaced by the complexity of human meaning and personal relationships. Finally the third alternative model, which rejected both the hyperdermic syringe model and the two-step, flow model, was the 'long-term' effect model. This model suggests that media may influence us in many ways that are hard to measure and have long term effects on our attitudes, creating new ideas or reinforcing our original ones rather than changing opinions we already have.
Cumberbatch carried out a study where he analysed all programmes broadcasted on all four channels, in four separate weeks between May and September 1986. The primary unit for counting was the violent act; he quoted "a coherent uninterrupted sequence of actions involving the same agents in the same role". Cumberbatch found that 30% of programmes contained some violence. The overall frequency was 1.14 violent acts per programme, 1.68 acts per hour, where each act lasted approximately 25 seconds and so therefore occupying just over 1% of T.V time. However he claimed that if boxing and wrestling were excluded, the average duration would be 13 seconds and if verbal threats were to be included than the average frequency would rise to 1.96 acts per hour. He found that most violence was shown in spy, fantasy, war detective, crime and thriller programmes, and less violence on quiz shows and chat shows plus non-contact sports. However he claimed that injuries from violent acts were rare. 26% of occasions, violence resulted in death but 61% no injuries were shown as the victims simply showed pain or were shocked.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the classical song played for the ...
By: Cobra008 | 18-09-2008
What is the classical song played for the commercial of EA Sports of Madden 2006
How do they get so thin so fast
By: cdeleyer | 17-09-2008
how do they get so thin so fast
Money
By: shookyooky | 17-09-2008
I want to know do they have their expensive trainers and weight team or what
Anyone seen Luke Paulus"?
By: naughty | 15-09-2008
Where have Luke and Sue gone?
Who sings the old classic song ,changes?
By: Big Kid | 15-09-2008
Who sings the old classic song that goes something like this, I believe "Ch, Ch, Ch,Ch Changes, and people change?....and time may change me....."
Can Reese Witherspoon really help to cure Breast Cancer?
By: hemplover | 15-09-2008
Reese Witherspoon has made it her new goal to fight breast cancer, and she is one of the most highly paid actresses out there. How much will she really help the cause? Do you think it is money and support that researchers need, in order to find a cure for breast cancer, or is it more knowledge that is needed? Can Reese really help?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Art and Entertainment Articles
Bootleg Movie Download: Are Bootleg Movie Download Making Everything From Bad to Worse?
By: Anu Kool | 13/10/2008
So you think that maybe one or two (or more) bootleg movie download wouldn't be that bad, right? After all, how can it possibly affect the rest of the world's film industry when it is just one movie, after all? Or is that, one movie download at a time? Unfortunately,...
Divx Full Movies Download - Thinking About DivX Full Movies Download
By: Anu Kool | 13/10/2008
The worldwide web is continually gaining its popularity in today's era. And along with this popularity is the recognition that is being acquired by the movie download activities. As a matter of fact, we can now download movies and other videos online without any cost at all. This is due...
Download Free Movie Trailers - How to Download Free Movie Trailers?
By: Anu Kool | 13/10/2008
Nowadays, almost all information that we need can be found on the worldwide web. Indeed, it acts as if a huge storage of different information readily available and accessible to everyone which is just a click away. Not only that, we can also have the chance to watch all the...
Online Bootleg Movie Downloads - How to Have the Best Online Bootleg Movie Downloads?
By: Anu Kool | 13/10/2008
Worldwide web has been offering a lot of benefits on our part. As a matter of fact, we can already watch our favorite movies by way of it, which is commonly known as the online bootleg movie downloads. This term may sound so absurd and negative but it is just...
Choosing the Best Scissors Or Shears For Sewing
By: Pat Lyne | 13/10/2008
If you're going to do any sewing, you need some scissors. In fact, even if you aren't doing any sewing, every household needs some scissors! They're a useful tool, so it's important to have at least one pair.
Scissors vs. Shears
First off, though people often use the name interchangeably, scissors and...
Understand How to Read Guitar Tabs
By: Jason Wallace | 13/10/2008
There are many different ways to play guitar and all of these different styles and variances are huge and all have an impact on the way you learn. No matter what style you wish to play though, it is important to grasp the basics and this is why beginner guitar...
Angel Wing Tattoos - Different Styles and Meaning
By: Danny K | 12/10/2008
Have you been thinking about what your next tattoo design should be? If you want a mythical design that will amaze all who look upon it, the best choice may be angel wings. These heavenly instruments of flight have a long history over the past millennium of art. Let your...
The Pluses of Playing Video Games
By: Art Gib | 12/10/2008
Although parents need to make sure that video games do not become addicting, there are many skills that these fun and entertaining games can teach a child. For more information, read the following article on the pluses of playing video games.
More from Jon Caldwell
So Who is the Hottest Teen Diva Today?
By: Jon Caldwell | 17/09/2008 | Art and Entertainment
Born on the 28th of April 1981, Jessica Marie Alba is an actress known for her beauty and versatility. Determined to be an actress, Alba landed her first major role in Camp Nowhere and was soon followed by The Secret World of Alex Mack. She received rave reviews and was...
Why You Get Used to Condo Living
By: Jon Caldwell | 17/09/2008 | Real Estate
Painting and art works are normal to be seen for people who want to invest largely on how they can make their condominium units something worth living in. While most people are more concerned on the matter of space, chances are they will least invest in paintings to be hung...
What do You Put in Your Condo?
By: Jon Caldwell | 17/09/2008 | Real Estate
If you really wish to have more storage in your condo you can install high rise cabinets or wall mounted cabinets so that you can put things in there. But if you do not wish to drill the walls or occupy some floor spaces in your condo (maybe you have...
No Space, Use Smaller Furniture
By: Jon Caldwell | 17/09/2008 | Real Estate
If you want to make your condo look and feel special, why not add a little style to it? You could do this by purchasing furniture that fits your personality and caters to your needs. Their products are specially designed for smaller places like condos and apartments. You could also...
The Parts You Can Remodel at Home
By: Jon Caldwell | 17/09/2008 | Real Estate
Adding a breakfast nook is a great idea especially if the kitchen area still has enough space for it. Another popular additional these days is a kitchen island. If you are patient enough to maintain your kitchen and you still want to beautify it, you can also apply a touch...
Learn More About the Stars of Hollywood
By: Jon Caldwell | 17/09/2008 | Art and Entertainment
Megan Fox was voted the Sexiest Woman in the World by avid readers of FHM Magazine through an online poll. She was in no. 68 slot in 2006 and no. 65 in 2007. She surely worked her way up.
Following her are Jessica Alba and Jessica Biel. She beat lots of...
Who is Not Familiar With the Matrix?
By: Jon Caldwell | 17/09/2008 | Art and Entertainment
The Matrix Comics is a graphic novel collection of twelve online comics that were published on the official Matrix movie website. Although you can still read the comics on the Internet, the Wachowski brothers responded to the consumer demand for a printed hard copy. The twelve stories in the volume...
Checking in the Classy Hotels of America
By: Jon Caldwell | 17/09/2008 | Travel
The Westin St. Francis is a 4-star hotel which offers more than its luxurious 4-star rating. In this hotel, guests could experience the pampering of world-class service. The hotel features moder faciliities including a fitness centre with a spa, a wellness centre with relaxation services such as massage. Westin St....
Art and Entertainment 
