Testimony from a senate subcommittee inquiry into the effects on society of crime and violence in the media and what role, if any, it may play in subsequent criminal activity is contained in these proceedings. The testimony presented focuses on recent reports on television and related issues--in particular, a 1982 study published by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), to the effect that many heavy viewers are influenced toward aggressive behavior and others are influenced toward fear and apprehension or other behaviors more subtle than aggression. The proceedings contain transcripts of oral testimony as well as related written materials from the following speakers: Daniel Shorr, senior correspondent of the Cable News Network; David Pearl, chief of the Behavioral Sciences Research Branch, NIMH; Thomas Cook, professor of psychology at Northwestern University; Linda Lichter, of the graduate program in science, technology, and public policy at George Washington University; Leonard Eron, professor of psychology and research professor of the social sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago; Ronald Milavsky, vice-president of news and social research of NBC; Alan Wurtzel, director of news, developmental, and social research of ABC; and Philip Harding, director of special projects research of the CBS/Broadcast Group. Additional materials included with the testimony include letters from George Gerbner, professor of communications at the University of Pennsylvania; John P. Murray, director of youth and family policy at Boys Town; and David Pearl; as well as copies of a newspaper column by Daniel Schorr and a report on television and behavior prepared by NIMH. (HTH)