This paper deals with television viewing behavior in blacks. Research on viewing behavior and the effects of this medium on blacks is relatively scant. Some of the questions that precipitated this research are: (1) What are the effects of repeated exposure to violent episodes on blacks' capacities to respond to each others' needs? and (2) What effect does the television media have on the socialization of black youth? Previous research in attitude measurement techniques and viewing measurement procedures indicate that new techniques would have to be developed for use with black urban populations. This paper reports on the results of a pilot investigation using new techniques. Second, in the absence of reliable data on what blacks watch, why they watch, and what they feel about such shows, the results of the pilot survey are presented. Some of the topics investigated were: favorite shows, ratings, characteristics of favorite shows, viewing habits, racial attitudes, and others. Among the points raised is that the black community cannot afford to emulate the violent mentality on television. Research should focus on finding ways to teach parents how to neutralize these messages and teach constructive problem solving strategies in their place. (Author/AM)