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Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine whether four-to-eight year old children need
media education. The thesis is that media education may help reduce or counteract the
negative influences of the media and as such is derived from the protectionistic "impact
mediation model" of television literacy. Using a psycho-sociological research framework
this study aims to achieve an increased understanding of the impact of a wide range of
entertainment media on infant children's everyday experiences.
The research blends together conventional quantitative methods of data gathering and
alternative qualitative data-gathering approaches. Parental and teacher perceptions of four-to-eight
year old children's relationship with the entertainment media were obtained using a
questionnaire. Infant children were interviewed individually or in small groups using a
structured interview schedule. In addition, infant children were observed in their normal
home environment while viewing regular television programs and a choice of two
prescribed videos.
The main findings of the study are: that infant children are frightened by all forms of
entertainment media, although the electronic audio-visual media are more likely to induce
fears than other forms of media; media education does not reduce children's media fears;
most children had a good understanding of television's representation of reality and
fantasy; media education did not help younger children differentiate between advertisements
and television programs; children in this study did not imitate the antisocial content of
television and other media - according to parents, teachers and self-reports. The need for
media education - based on the media effects model, was questioned.

Item Type:	Thesis - PhD
Authors/Creators:	Chung, KM
Keywords:	Media programs (Education), Mass media in education, Mass media and children, Television and children
Copyright Holders:	The Author
Copyright Information:	Copyright 1990 the Author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s).
Additional Information:	Includes bibliographical references (leaves 282-303). Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Tasmania, 1992
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

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