Thesis (M. A.)--University of Canterbury, 2006. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-113). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio University, August, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-169).

The problem with which this investigation is concerned is the description of the social map that is presented to the viewers of public television. Using content analysis methodology, the study describes how different genders, racial groups, and age groups are being portrayed on PBS programming. The sample consisted of one week of PBS 1984 fall programming broadcast on KERA-TV, the PBS station in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas. Research questions addressing proportions of groups, types of roles, length of scenes, occupational variation, conversational behaviors, conflict management modes, and cultural norms were answered. All coding was accomplished by the principal investigator. Upon completion of the coding sub-totals for the variables under study by program types and a grand total for the entire sample were then tabulated. After this extensive content analysis, the report concludes that females are still extremely underrepresented in PBS programming, accounting for only 32.7% of the total participants. Blacks and Hispanics are also underrepresented except in children's programming. Occupational variation for white males is evident for all types of PBS programming. Occupational variation for white females is evident in children's programming and informational/documentary programming. Minorities with delineated occupations are extremely limited in all types of programming except for children's programming. The exchange of information is the major conversational behavior that occurs on PBS programming with minority characters receiving orders considerably more than their white counterparts. Verbal aggression is the conflict management mode chosen most frequently on PBS programming. Explicit messages regarding racial and sexual equality and prosocial behavior occur on PBS programming. Implicit messages such as frequency of appearances, number of major roles, and prevalence of power cues suggest a white male domination of television programming on PBS. The findings of the study reveal that major inroads have been made by women and minorities in children's programming. This comprehensive analysis confirms, however, the virtual exclusion of minorities in major segments of PBS programming.

MA (Youth in Development) / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies / The purpose of this study was to explore how the portrayal of deviant behaviour in selected television programmes influences the youth to adopt similar behaviour in their lives. In the past, television programmes for young people were meant to nourish the soul and enable the voice of the youth to be heard. However, hip-hop, gangsta rap, R&B videos and some soap operas represent deviant behaviour in a fashionable manner. That the identity of young people is constructed by the portrayal of deviant behaviour in some television programme becomes a source of national concern. Television plays a major role in the lives of young people. Since the dawn of democracy in the 1990s, South Africa has witnessed rapid expansion in the use of television in households. Economic pressures oblige parents to go out to work, which makes it impossible for them to monitor their children’s viewing. Children are left alone and vulnerable to television programmes that promote deviant behaviour. Of course, not all television programme promote deviant behaviour: for instance, there are educational programmes, but the problem is that these are televised in the morning while young people of this study’s target population are at school. Cultivation theory, media theory and social learning theory were used in this study as a theoretical frame to explain the influence that some television programmes featuring deviant behaviour has on the behaviour of young people. The study was located at Madonsi Village, in the Colins Chabane municipality, South Africa. The study employed a qualitative research methodology, involving purposive sampling of a targeted population. The data collection tool used in the study was the semi-structured interview with focus groups. The data collected was analysed through the use of discourse and thematic analysis. The study sample consisted of twelve participants, six female and six male. Ethical considerations such as informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity and voluntary participation were taken into account to protect the participants. The study’s finding revealed that the portrayed of deviant behaviour in some television programmes result in the following forms of deviant behaviour among young people: premarital sex, the perception of women as sex objects, the use of profane language, the abuse of drugs and alcohol, involvement in gangster activities and sexual confusion. The study recommends that the municipality should build a community library in the area which will be programmed to restrict access to YouTube, pornography, etc., / NRF