Psychological Reports · 1979 · 22 citations · 6 references
Social SciencesBehavioral SciencesPsychologyChild DevelopmentProsocial BehaviorSocial BehaviorAggressionAggressive BehaviorMedia EffectsPlay BehaviorProsocial DevelopmentTelevision AudiencesAggressive Behavior ManagementChildhood PlayChildren's Television AudiencesEarly Childhood Prosocial DevelopmentLive Television ViewingShort-term Exposure EffectsTelevision Consumption
A field observational experiment was performed to assess the impact of prosocial television on the free play of preschool children over a 4-day period. Analysis of the data indicated that boys were significantly more aggressive than girls and that exposure to prosocial television had a strong short-term effect on both boys and girls in reducing three classes of aggressive behavior. A corresponding increase in prosocial behavior and rule obedience was not associated with exposure to prosocial television.
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