Vicarious Learning Blog

Plus Ca Change: TV impact on Behaviour and Learning

Yes, it's an old favourite, but what is the impact of the ubiquitous TV on all of us? Well, a local paper in the UK is interested in finding out. Warwick Today wants to know parents views on this. But this is not just their attempt to fill editorial space on the cheap.

They are, in fact, responding to a call to arms from a larger campaign called White Dot: The International Campaign Against Television

Part of the White Dot campaign is an annual 'Turn off the TV week' which is widely endorsed, particularly by organisations working with child welfare in mind (partial list):

Children?s Defence Fund, Libraries for the Future,The American Medical Association, American Federation of Teachers, National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Association of Elementary Schools, American Psychiatric Association, Council for Basic Education, American Heart Association, Association of Library Service to Children, National Parenting Association, Family Research Council, Student Environmental Action Coalition, Child Welfare League of America

The impact of TV on behaviour and learning is a complex one involving a complex interaction of a wide range of processes such as Modelling, Imitation, Perceived Reality, Sensitization, Disinhibition, Catharsis and Desensitization.

A good general overview of some of the research can be found at Television Violence and Children's Behaviour by Daniel Chandler. An interesting review of the TV debate put in the context of emerging new media is provided by Steve Clarke for the ESRC "80 years on: the impact of TV in a new media age". Ultimately Steve Clarke provides a compelling sense of perspective over the 'problem' posed by TV:

"...When everything including the most vile pornography or graphic acts of violence is a mouse click away, terrestrial TV is the least of anyone?s worries..."

Posted at 04:30PM Jun 24, 2008 by Finbar Dineen in General  |  Comments[0]