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WARNING - THE SURGEON GENERAL HAS DETERMINED THAT TV VIOLENCE IS MODERATELY DANGEROUS TO YOUR CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH

NCJ Number
9737
Journal
Public Opinion Quarterly Volume: 34 Issue: 4 Dated: (WINTER 19721973) Pages: 491-521
Author(s)
L BOGART
Date Published
1972
Length
31 pages
Annotation
EXTENDED REVIEW ARTICLE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL'S STUDY OF TELEVISION AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR, A REPORT ON THE EFFECT OF VIEWING TELEVISED VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN.
Abstract
THE STUDY CONSISTS OF A FINAL SUMMARY VOLUME AND FIVE SUPPORTING VOLUMES THAT CONSTITUTE A 'TECHNICAL REPORT'. THE FINDINGS IN THE REPORT WERE GATHERED FROM MORE THAN FORTY RESEARCH PROJECTS ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONED FOR THIS STUDY. IN THIS REVIEW ARTICLE, THE AUTHOR EXAMINES THE MAKE-UP OF THE STUDY'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE, ITS SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS, AND THE RESEARCH PROJECTS CHOSEN FOR FUNDING AS WELL AS EXPLAINING HIS OWN INTERPRETATIONS OF THE FIVE VOLUMES OF STUDIES. THE AUTHOR SEES THE FACT THAT VIOLENCE OCCURS AT A FAR HIGHER RATE IN AMERICAN TELEVISION THAN ELSEWHERE AS THE MOST DISQUIETING FINDING OF THE STUDY. IN GENERAL, THE AUTHOR FOUND THE STUDIES AND RESULTS UNSURPRISING SINCE THE LINK BETWEEN MEDIA VIOLENCE AND SUBSTANTIAL ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR WAS ALREADY WELL INDICATED.