Prime-time television dramas were analyzed to isolate counter-stereotypical sex-role portrayals, and children were surveyed to determine the impact of these portrayals on sex-role perceptions. The appeal of male and female television characters as role models was also tested. (LS)

Change in adolescent female's perceptions of adolescent males was determined by pretesting three days prior to sexual integration of a residential school for delinquent females and posttesting two months after this event. Findings suggest that sexual integration of adolescent reform institutions is effective in avoiding sex-role diffusion. (GO)

Combining two issues significant in contemporary broadcasting--the influence of television on children and the role of women as portrayed by the media, this study analyzed the image of female children in 294 television commercials shown from eight in the morning until noon every Saturday from November 10, 1973, until December 8, 1973. Although the…

The research reported here, based largely on open-ended interviews with elementary school children at several grade levels, examines the measurement and correlates of gender role flexibility in children. It explores children's conceptions of "mother" and "father" both in response to questioning about the child's own parents and in response to…

A review of children's exposure to and perceptions of death suggests that adults might facilitate the development of children's understanding by selecting materials that present death in a manner appropriate to the children's level of perceptions and that encourage subsequent levels of perception. Six picture books are evaluated. (Author)

During the 1960's educators became aware that the role models presented by educational materials to minority children helped shape the role that the children ultimately occupied in the society. Similarly, it has been observed that the media presents a negative image of women which may result in unfulfilling role adaptation, a process which becomes…

Presents findings of research that studied the influence of television's behavioral models on young Puerto Rican children, including (1) types of models children chose; (2) their perceptions and moral judgments of the appropriateness of certain types of antisocial behavior; and (3) occupational aspirations and their perceptions of Puerto Rican…

Examines African-American family life portrayals (BFLPs) on commercial television during the 1985-86 season, and considers BFLPs as a model for social learning by children. Analysis of the "Cosby Show,""227," and "Charlie & Company" indicates that more positive BFLPs are emerging, which may provide possible role…

Examines the impact of mass media on children's choices of heroes and role models. Addresses questions of which cultural messages children attend to, whether role models vary according to ethnicity and gender, and the role played by educators in exposing children to previously unconsidered role models. (DLH)