Middle Childhood Social Development Activity

Television: The Electronic Teacher

You probably watch television for recreation. In this assignment you will be watching TV as a learning experience. Television provides factual information and knowledge (e.g., how gorillas mate, how to build an igloo). Television also provides the young viewer with a view of the social world, suggesting how people should and do interact with one another in various social roles (e.g., how women relate to their employers, or how homemakers act). There are numerous television shows specifically produced for children. Your assignment is to watch three different types of children's shows to analyze the content in terms of what children are likely to be learning while watching these programs.

Select 1 show from each of the following categories:

1. A cartoon offered on commercial television (for example, "Pokemon," "Jackie Chan Adventures," "Powerpuff Girls," etc.)
2. A family TV program in which the adventures of at least one child living in a family setting are portrayed (for example, "The Simpsons," "Malcolm in the Middle," "My Wife and Kids," "George Lopez," "Grounded for Life," etc.)
3. A children's program offered on public (educational) or noncommercial television (for example, "Sesame Street",
   "Caillou," "Reading Rainbow," "Arthur," "Magic School Bus," etc.)

If you are uncertain about which programs are representative of each type, feel free to come and ask us.

While watching each show, keep a record of the (a) amount of aggression or violence, (b) the presentation of gender, sex role, or ethnic stereotypes, (c) the number of prosocial actions, and (d) the number of messages about healthy behaviors. Compile your observations for each show and compare and contrast the three types. What differences do you notice? What similarities are there among the three types of shows? What benefits are there for children who watch these shows? Are there possible harmful effects? What did you learn from watching these shows?

Make sure to relate your observation to what you have learned in class and in the book. Look in Chapter 9 for information about social learning and gender development (see particularly pg. 355), and in Chapter 14 for information about aggression and prosocial actions.

Remember to also follow the general guidelines for this assignment.