Research and the Constructive Aspects of Television in Children's Lives: A Forecast.

The future of research on the constructive aspects of television in the lives of children is contingent on the resolution of several challenges. First, philosophical conflicts associated with the premise that manipulation through broadcast policy is justifiable must be resolved. It is not certain that there is general agreement about prosocial goals when they are sought outside the protective concept of education. Also, research on constructive aspects must avoid taking energy and attention away from important investigations of negative effects. The theoretical framework relating research on televised violence to that on prosocial effects must be outlined. Finally, research must be geared to the realities of the broadcast industry. The guidance needed by broadcasters will be provided by research results that concentrate on program elements that can be changed and that have high credibility. The tendency of social science to value the original, postive empirical finding must be restrained, because replication is necessary to provide the necessary credibility, and null findings could be very important. (Author/PF)