Big World, Small Screen: The Role of Television in American Society

Aletha C. Houston, Edward Donnerstein, Halford Fairchild, Norma D. Feshbach, Phyllis A. Katz, John P. Murray, Eli A. Rubensein, Brian L. Wilcox, Diana Zuckerman

ISBN 10: 0803272634 / ISBN 13: 9780803272637

Published by University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, NE and London, England, 1992

About this Item

195 pp. Crisp pages; smooth cover. Underlining throughout. Minor wear to edges of cover. Previous owner's name inscribed.

Seller Inventory # 3iiiEe0023

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Big World, Small Screen: The Role of Television in American Society
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, NE and London, England
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0803272634
• ISBN 13: 9780803272637
• Binding: Trade Paperback
• Printing: 1st Printing
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Media Studies, Mass Media, TV, Broadcasting
  • Journalism, Media Studies, Broadcasting, etc.
  • Academic, Scholarly, Research

About this title

Synopsis

Big World, Small Screen assesses the influence of television on the lives of the most vulnerable and powerless in American society: children, ethnic and sexual minorities, and women. Many in these groups are addicted to television, although they are not the principal audiences sought by commercial TV distributors because they are not the most lucrative markets for advertisers.

This important book illustrates the power of television in stereotyping the elderly, ethnic groups, gays and lesbians, and the institutionalized and, thus, in contributing to the self-image of many viewers. They go on to consider how television affects social interaction, intellectual functioning, emotional development, and attitudes (toward family life, sexuality, and mental and physical health, for example). They illustrate the medium's potential to teach and inform, to communicate across nations and cultures—and to induce violence, callousness, and amorality. Parents will be especially interested in what they say about television viewing and children. Finally, they offer suggestions for research and public policy with the aim of producing programming that will enrich the lives of citizens all across the spectrum.

Nine psychologists, members of the Task Force on Television and Society appointed by the American Psychological Association, have collaborated on Big World, Small Screen.

About the Author

Nine psychologists, members of the Task Force on Television and Society appointed by the American Psychological Association, have collaborated on Big World, Small Screen.