Psychologists look at television: Cognitive, developmental, personality, and social policy implications.

Addresses issues concerning the continuing exposure of children to TV that require examination by cognitive, developmental, and personality psychologists. Studies dealing with structural format and content of commercial TV and the possible influences on developing children are reviewed. Cognitive and affective issues include the rapid pace of presentation on TV and its effect on the cognitive processing of children. The relationships between family lifestyle and TV viewing are also considered. Familial variables including amount and type of TV viewing were found to affect children's reading comprehension, comprehension of plots, effectiveness of language usage, beliefs, imagination, motoric restlessness, aggressiveness, and school adjustment. Evidence accumulates suggesting that heavy viewing of currently available TV fare by children may be harmful. Research suggesting potential benefits of the medium for education and constructive development has not generally been translated into regular age-specific programming for children by the TV industry. Avenues for intervention by psychologists with parents, educators, and industry are reviewed. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)