Three clusters of content-audience associations in expression of racial prejudice while consuming online television news.

It is well investigated that the expression of racial prejudice is often induced by news coverage on the internet, and the exposure to media contributes to the cultivation of long-term prejudice. However, there is a lack of information regarding the immediate effects of news delivered through television or television-like media on the expression of racial prejudice. This study provides a framework for understanding such effects by focusing on content-audience associations using the logs of an "online television" service, which provides television-like content and user experiences. With these logs, we found an association between the news-watching and comment-posting behaviors. Consequently, logs relevant to two distinct forms of racism, modern and old-fashioned racism, were extracted. Using mathematical modeling, which considers the different levels of program inducements to racist expression, personal inclinations of audiences to racism, and certainty of prediction of audience behaviors, we found three associative patterns between the news programs and audiences. The relevance of the topics covered to the basic beliefs of each form of racism was characterized into three clusters: expression as a reaction to news that is directly relevant to the basic beliefs of racism with weak inducements by non-bigots, minority abuse by distorting the meanings of news content indirectly relevant to the beliefs but with strong inducements by audiences with a strong bias, and racial toxic opinions independent of the news content by clear bigots. Our findings provide implications for inhibiting the expression of online prejudice based on the characteristics of these patterns.

Efectos de los comerciales con contenido erótico-sexual sobre el recuerdo, actitudes y actividad fisiológica, en relación con el grado de liberalidad / Effects of Ad with Erotic-Sexual Content on Recall, Attitudes and Physiological Activity, in Relation to the Degree of Liberality

Resumen El presente estudio pretendió establecer el efecto de comerciales con contenidos de naturaleza erótico-sexual sobre el recuerdo y las actitudes hacia el anuncio y la marca publicitada. Se analizó la activación fisiológica y se buscaron relaciones con el grado de liberalidad-conservadurismo de cada participante. Para ello, se desarrolló un estudio cuasiexperimental con dos grupos, uno conformado por 29 hombres y el otro por 29 mujeres. Se diseñó un programa de televisión que consistía en un documental sobre la naturaleza en donde se insertaron tres tipos de comerciales: A1 (alto contenido erótico-sexual), A2 (bajo contenido erótico-sexual) y A3 (sin contenido erótico-sexual). Los comerciales fueron clasificados de acuerdo con las categorías empleadas por la NICAM y por la ISFP. Se combinaron los órdenes de aparición de estos comerciales y se eligió el orden que recibió cada participante de manera aleatoria. Posteriormente, fueron conectados a un polígrafo que registró su actividad fisiológica frente al programa que observaban. Una vez terminado el procedimiento, se aplicó un cuestionario para medir el recuerdo y actitudes frente al comercial y a la marca. Los resultados muestran que no existen diferencias significativas entre hombres y mujeres en la activación fisiológica frente a los comerciales con alto grado de erotismo y que el contenido erótico-sexual aportó significativamente a la recordación de la marca. De la misma manera, no se observaron efectos diferenciales de los contenidos eróticos en relación con el grado de liberalidad de los participantes.

Abstract This study aimed to establish the effect of ad with erotic content of a sexual nature on the recall and attitudes toward the ad and the advertised brand, analyzing the physiological activation of individuals and the observed differences between men and women. In addition, the differences in relation to the degree of conservatism of each participant settled. For this, a quasi-experimental study compared two groups, one consisting of 29 men and the other for 29 women developed. Television program was designed consisting in a nature documentary where 3 types of commercial A1 (highly erotic-sexual content), A2 (under erotic-sexual content) and A3 (without erotic-sexual content) were inserted. The commercials were classified according to the categories used by NICAM and the ISFP. The order of appearance of these commercials were combined and the order received each participant was randomly chosen. They were then connected to a polygraph which recorded its physiological activity to the program watching. Once the procedure is completed, a questionnaire was applied to measure memory and attitudes towards trade and off the mark. The results show no significant differences between men and women in physiological arousal against commercial high degree of eroticism and the erotic-sexual content did not contribute significantly improved the brand recall. No differential effects of erotic content depending on the degree of concessionality of participants were observed.

Redefining "child-directed advertising" to reduce unhealthy television food advertising.

BACKGROUND: Food and beverage companies have pledged to reduce unhealthy marketing to children through the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI). However, public health experts question the initiative's effectiveness because pledges apply to only some types of marketing. For instance, the CFBAI covers only TV advertising that is "child-directed," defined as advertising during programs for which children make up 35% or more of the viewing audience. PURPOSE: To quantify the proportion of food and beverage TV advertisements (ads) viewed by children that is covered by current CFBAI pledges and examine the potential impact of broader definitions of child-directed advertising. METHODS: Nielsen data were used to quantify percentages of children (aged 2-11 years) in the audience (i.e., child-audience share), as well as absolute numbers of child viewers, for all national TV programs in 2009. Nielsen advertising data provided the number of food and beverage ads viewed by preschoolers (aged 2-5 years); older children (aged 6-11 years); and adults (aged 18-49 years) during programs with various child-audience compositions. Data were collected in 2010 and analyzed in 2011. RESULTS: Just 45%-48% of food ads viewed by children met current CFBAI definitions of child-directed advertising. Expanding this definition to include advertising during programs with a child-audience share of 20% or higher and/or 100,000 or more child viewers would cover 70%-71% of food advertising seen by children but just one third of ads seen by adults. CONCLUSIONS: Children viewed an estimated 35% fewer food ads during TV programs with a high child-audience share (≥50%) in 2009 compared with 2004. However, ensuring that nutrition standards apply to the majority of food ads viewed by children requires broader definitions of child-directed advertising.

Influence of viewing distance and size of tv on visual fatigue and feeling of involvement.

Using physiological and psychological measurements, we carried out experiments to investigate the influence of viewing distance and TV screen size on visual fatigue and feeling of involvement using 17-inch, 42-inch and 65-inch displays. The experiment was an ordinary viewing test with the content similar to everyday TV programs for one hour including scenery, sport, drama, etc., with commercials sandwiched in between. The number of participants was 16 (8 persons aged 21-31, and 8 persons aged 50-70) for each display size. In all, 48 participants viewed 3 display sizes. In our physiological evaluation, CFF (critical flicker fusion frequency), blink rate and a sympathetic nerve activity index were used; and in the psychological evaluation, questionnaires and interviews were employed. Our results, based on physiological and psychological measurements, suggest the opti- mum viewing distance to be around 165-220 cm, irrespective of screen size. Our evaluations, which are based on optimum viewing distance for minimal visual fatigue and a closer feeling of involvement, might therefore not agree with the currently recommended viewing distance, which is defined as 2 or 3 times the display's height.

Parents' evaluation of media ratings a decade after the television ratings were introduced.

OBJECTIVE: The 3 national studies reported here were designed to find out how satisfied parents are with media rating systems, how regularly they use them, and what types of information they ideally would like to have. METHODS: Parents (n=745, study 1; n=768, study 2; n=769, study 3) were surveyed nationally by independent research firms. Studies 1 and 2 were conducted by Harris Interactive, and study 3 was conducted by Research Now. All of them were cross-sectional national surveys. RESULTS: Parents desire ratings for many types of media, but they do not think the existing ratings accurately provide the information they want. They would prefer ratings to provide detailed content information. In general, parents tend to agree on the types and descriptors of content about which they would like to know. They do not, however, agree on the ages for which different content aspects are appropriate. Parents would support the creation of a universal rating system that could be applied to multiple types of media. CONCLUSIONS: Ratings can be effective only if they are useful for parents. This set of studies reveals that improvements in media ratings are needed to make them valuable for parents.

Parents of preschoolers: expert media recommendations and ratings knowledge, media-effects beliefs, and monitoring practices.

OBJECTIVE: Given the increase in screen media targeted at the very young, the purpose of this study was to examine preschooler parents' knowledge about expert recommendations for young children's screen media experience, their knowledge of specific screen media ratings, their beliefs about screen media effects, and actual monitoring practices. METHOD: Parents of 94 children <5 years of age (mean age: 2.95 years) were surveyed. Questionnaires were distributed in day care centers and completed at the parents' convenience. The questionnaire included background questions about parental education, age and gender of child, and parents' perceptions of their child's favorite television show and favorite video or computer game. Eleven multiple-choice questions assessed the respondent's knowledge of expert recommendations for screen media for preschoolers and the meaning of television and video game content ratings. Fourteen questions addressed the typical amount of their preschooler's screen media exposure, parental rules regarding screen media use, and parents' beliefs about appropriate use of screen media for preschoolers. RESULTS: Preschoolers were exposed to an average of approximately 12 hours of screen media in a typical week. Parents believe that media do have either short- or long-term effects on preschoolers. Performance on factual questions was poor (mean score: 2.83 of 11). In particular, only 34% of the parents correctly identified the expert recommendation for children >2 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: Parents should continue to be educated about the need for preschoolers to participate in activities that promote language development, socialization, imagination, and physical activity. Although professionals should work to improve the ratings, and ultimately to implement a universal ratings system for all screen media, parents need to be encouraged to improve their understanding of current recommendations for screen media exposure and television and video game ratings.

A preliminary study to investigate the potential of plasma screen technology in small group teaching for dental undergraduates.

AIM: This preliminary study was devised to ascertain whether students considered that they had an adequate view of demonstrated procedures, while observing these directly at the workbench, or indirectly on a remote plasma screen. In addition, this study sought to identify whether the students observing remotely believed that they had been disadvantaged by the inability to question the demonstrator during the demonstration. METHODS: Seventeen students divided into two groups observed a live demonstration of a laboratory technical procedure either at the workbench, or remotely at a plasma screen with the aid of video cameras. They subsequently observed a second demonstration with the roles reversed. Questionnaires were used to obtain the students' views of their ability to see and interact with the demonstrator. RESULTS: The responses of the students observing the demonstration at the plasma screen indicated that (they felt that) they were able to see the demonstration more clearly than those observing at the workbench. Those observing at the plasma screen first, in particular indicated this. The majority of students acknowledged their inability to ask questions while observing at the plasma screen. There was overwhelming support for the idea that the plasma screen should be used to complement the demonstration at the workbench. CONCLUSION: Plasma screen technology has considerable potential as a teaching tool for small groups of students, where it can afford significantly superior views of practical procedures. The students considered that the plasma screen would be best employed to provide close-up views to supplement a live demonstration. When used remotely, the apparatus may be used more satisfactorily if videoconferencing technology is also employed to facilitate interaction with the demonstrator.

A validity test of movie, television, and video-game ratings.

CONTEXT: Numerous studies have documented the potential effects on young audiences of violent content in media products, including movies, television programs, and computer and video games. Similar studies have evaluated the effects associated with sexual content and messages. Cumulatively, these effects represent a significant public health risk for increased aggressive and violent behavior, spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and pediatric pregnancy. In partial response to these risks and to public and legislative pressure, the movie, television, and gaming industries have implemented ratings systems intended to provide information about the content and appropriate audiences for different films, shows, and games. OBJECTIVE: To test the validity of the current movie-, television-, and video game-rating systems. DESIGN: Panel study. MEASURE: Participants used the KidScore media evaluation tool, which evaluates films, television shows, and video games on 10 aspects, including the appropriateness of the media product for children based on age. RESULTS: When an entertainment industry rates a product as inappropriate for children, parent raters agree that it is inappropriate for children. However, parent raters disagree with industry usage of many of the ratings designating material suitable for children of different ages. Products rated as appropriate for adolescents are of the greatest concern. The level of disagreement varies from industry to industry and even from rating to rating. Analysis indicates that the amount of violent content and portrayals of violence are the primary markers for disagreement between parent raters and industry ratings. CONCLUSIONS: As 1 part of a solution to the complex public health problems posed by violent and sexually explicit media products, ratings can have value if used with caution. Parents and caregivers relying on the ratings systems to guide their children's use of media products should continue to monitor content independently. Industry ratings systems should be revised with input from the medical and scientific communities to improve their reliability and validity. A single ratings system, applied universally across industries, would greatly simplify the efforts of parents and caregivers to use the system as well as the efforts of outside parties to monitor the use and validity of the system.

¿Porqué los niños ven televisión? / Why the children see television?

La televisión presenta estímulos audiovisuales, los cuales son más efectivos que los visuales y auditivos, por sí solos. Se impone sobre los otros medios de comunicación por penetrar en el hogar en la vida diaria y llegar a formar parte del cúmulo de hábitos de cualquier hombre de nuestra época. Bajo un diseño transversal-descriptivo, aplicamos encuestas a 130 niños de edades entre 6 y 8 años que asistieron a dos escuelas del Distrito Federal y a la consulta de Niños Sanos del Hospital Militar "Dr. Carlos Arvelo", durante enero de 1998, con la finalidad de determinar los hábitos televisivos, en cuanto al tiempo diario dedicado a ver televisión, preferencias y selección de programas. Por otra parte, se aplicaron encuestas a las madres de dichos niños para recaudar información acerca de realización de otras actividades recreativas, elección de programas y compartimiento de horario de tareas o comidas con el hábito de ver TV. De los niños encuestados 54 por ciento [70] eran del sexo masculino y 46 por ciento [60] del sexo femenino. El 100 por ciento de los niños afirmó ver TV todos los días. Un 57 por ciento [75] de los cuales dedica entre 2 y 3 horas diarias a la TV; mientras que 34 por ciento [40] lo que hace durante 4 ó 5 horas diarias. El 69 por ciento de los niños elige los programas de TV por sí solo. Los programas favoritos seleccionados por los niños fueron: 77 por ciento [100] Comiquitas; 15 por ciento [20] El Chavo; y 8 por ciento [10] La serie "A Todo Corazón". los dibujos animados preferidos por los niños resultaron ser: Rem y Stimpy 54 por ciento [70 niños]; Gasparín 23 por ciento [30 niños]; Tomy y sus Diabluras 15 por ciento [20 niños] y otros 8 por ciento. En las encuestas aplicadas a las madres se encontró que solo el 81 por ciento prefieren que sus hijos vean TV todos los días. El 23 por ciento de los niños [35] tienen TV en su habitación y en este grupo se observó que se dedican un promedio de 4,8 horas/día promedio reportado para el grupo general. No hubo diferencias entre sexos en cuanto al número de horas dedicado a ver TV. Con respecto a la realización de otras actividades recreativas un 42 por ciento de los niños [55] practica algún deporte; un 38 por ciento [50] juega Atari, Nintendo o Computadora en sus horas libres y el 20 por ciento restante realiza actividades como leer, pintar, etc

Emotion and style in 30-second television advertisements targeted at men, women, boys, and girls.

A program for objective textual analysis which incorporated measures of style, word emotionality, and word imagery, was used to score the verbal portion of 152 30-sec. television advertisements. This analysis indicated that advertisements directed at children were more active, longer, and less negative than those directed at adults. A comparison of advertisements directed at males and females regardless of age showed greater linguistic complexity (more words, fewer common words) when their text was directed at women and girls. Each of the 13 stylistic and emotional measures used to describe advertisements produced at least one significant difference associated with the age or the sex of the target population or their interaction.