The Media's Subtle Influence

The following report was written by: MaryElizabeth U. Pacheco

Instructions

Table of Contents

Introduction:

The Impact

Observations, Analysis and Evaluation:

• Tiny Toon Adventures
• Power Rangers Turbo
• The Simpson's

• Liar Liar
• Speed
• Leaving Las Vegas

• Goodyear Tires
• Pennzoil Motor Oil
• NASCAR
• Nissan Quest Minivan

Rating System:

Writing this Report: It's Influence on Me

MADD: Mary Against Dangerous Driving

Introduction: The Impact

The television has evolved within the last century. The graphic presentation of movies, commercials and cartoons in particular represents a virtual reality. Combine driving with television and the outcome is deadly. Driving is a privilege in itself that requires responsibility. There are more shows that depict aggressive driving behaviors rather than safe courteous driving. Today children spend an average of 4-5 hours watching television under no supervision. Aggressive, inappropriate, unsafe driving behavior is demonstrated in many movies, advertisements and kid's programs. The human species learn behavior patterns through observing and imitating--role modeling, therefore, how influential is television to our generation of drivers. This report is to inform the reader about the definite impact television has on the present and future drivers.

In the following paragraphs, the reader will be presented with a link to previous Generational reports, accounts of 10 examples of mediums that encourages aggressive driving, an analysis and evaluation section, a rating system and how this report influenced me.

I have read three reports written by fellow students of the Generational Curriculum regarding televisions affect on our children. Kristy Kato, Kathy Subia and Jennifer Kaneshiro shared their knowledge and conclusive findings in their reports, they all agreed with the hypotheses. That aggressive driving behaviors are frequently viewed by children and thus influences their behavior. Children love to imitate a figure they admire or look-up to. Kristy Kato mentioned something very interesting, that people like to watch racing or participate in it because of the motivation one feels, I believe this is true because people are taught that success and victory go hand in hand. Winning a race makes you a winner; therefore, "you are the best".

Observations: Seeing is Believing

 Kid's Programs:

• Day: Saturday Morning
• Date: September 06, 1997
• Time: 06:30 am
• Channel: 09
• Type: cartoon
• Name of Program: Tiny Toon Adventures

• Characters: Buster Bunny
• Situation: The loveable buster Bunny is purchasing a brand new driving machine (a bicycle) According to the sales counselor, this mode of transportation can be self-driven at just a touch of a button. This particular vehicle can do other maneuvers as well.
• Time Factor: This scene lasted for approximately 75 seconds. Enough time for the viewer to be influenced.

These cartoons like many other programs that capture the attention and maintain can have profound influence on the developing minds of children. For whatever reason a cartoonist may have for entertaining children, there are many guidelines that must be followed. For example statistics prove that children spend many hours in front of the television, therefore the programs that they are watching should be appropriate for them. I believe many of the programs should be approved by a development psychologist Cartoons are created in such a way that it appeals to children because of its cuteness, perhaps level of understanding in presented in a child-like world. Unfortunately regardless of its cuteness and child's-play, these cartoons influence the behavior of children tremendously.

Power Rangers Turbo

• Day: Tuesday afternoon
• Date: September 09, 1997
• Time: 02:00 PM (Recorded the Program)
• Channel: 02
• Type: cartoon
• Name of Program: Power Rangers Turbo

• Characters: The Power Rangers
• Situation: The Powers Rangers are racing along what appears to be a creek. The mode of transportation for the Power Rangers are no longer the conventional motorcycles that once rode, but more sophisticated racecars. In this particular scene, the heroes are racing to defend the earth on their vehicles; the debris from the ground is being trashed from the high speeds that these vehicles are traveling at. The large tires are forcing the debris into the air, showing a tremendous presence of force or speed.
• Time Factor: The scene lasted for approximately 45 seconds to a minute.

Children love the Mighty power Rangers. These characters play the role of young teenagers that were an elite group of individuals that were chosen to defend the Earth from Evil forces. These defenders are given racecars that can unite together to form a fighting machine robot. This particular cartoon is popular because of its graphic presentation. Children also love the concept of hero. Another fascinating notion of this cartoon is that children are led to believe that this type of violence and aggressive driving is necessary to protect Earth and themselves  

• Day: Monday Afternoon
• Date: September 15, 1997
• Time: 05:30 PM
• Channel: 09
• Type: cartoon
• Name of Program: The Simpsons

• Characters: Bart Simpson and Mr. Burns
• Situation: The disobedient Bart Simpson and Mr. Burns have both exhibited inappropriate driving behaviors and demonstrated irresponsibility. Mr. Burns is driving his vehicle down a residential street. Mr. Burns' mind is wondering, all of a sudden, Bart and Mr. Burns meet. Mr. Burns' hits Bart. He immediately gets out of the car, but rather than focusing on the victim, his first concern is his car. The next scene, Bart is the focus; he blames Mr. Burns for the accident.
• Time Factor: This scene lasted for approximately 75 seconds. Enough time for the viewer to be influenced. Furthermore, this scene was the focus of the entire show.

The Tiny Toons Adventures and this cartoon like many other programs that captures the attention and maintains can have profound influence on the developing minds of children. In my opinion, this program is one of the worst programs viewed on television. First problem with this program is the attitude of the main character, Bart Simpson, who represents a so-called "modern day child". This child is very disrespectful and canieving; he will at all cost defend himself even in a wrongful situation. I feel that accidents do and will happen. This accident like all accidents could have been avoided if both operators were attentive and courteous to one another. This incident shows the viewer that even, if you are wrong, irresponsible, believe in your actions then your competition is to blame.

 Movies

• Day: Saturday Evening
• Date: October 06, 1997
• Time: 06:30 PM
• Channel: Purchased the Movie
• Type: Full-length movie
• Name of Program: Liar Liar

• Characters: The actor, (Jim Carey) plays the role of a divorced attorney, seeking partnership in the law firm where he is employed. This attorney only concern is being promoted to partnership. While his professional life is on a rise, his home is falling apart. He has a young son, who describes his fathers' occupation as "My dad's a liar. He goes to court and liars to the Judge".
• Situation: His son makes a wish on his birthday that his father would tell the truth for a day. The son's wish comes true. The son and his ex-wife decided that they were going to relocate to Mexico because Jim Carey did not keep his promise. The day following day, the attorney awakes and finds himself in situation of all honesty. While in court, he honestly defends his client and realizes how foolish he has been. Meanwhile at home, his son and ex-wife prepare for the journey to Mexico. Realizing the time he rushes to his car, speeds in and out of traffic at speeds of 75 mph. A police officer in the vacinity witness the road rage, orders him to pull over, questions him and writes him up another citation that could be added to his glove-box of over 30 previous parking tickets.
• Time Factor: This scene lasted for approximately 3 minutes. Enough time for the viewer's heart rate and ajrenilin to increase.

Speed

• Day: Monday
• Date: October 13, 1997
• Time: 08:30 PM
• Channel: Rented Video
• Type: Action-thriller
• Name of Program: Speed

• Characters: Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock are the main attraction in this movie. Keanu plays the role of a hot-shot police officer who performs numerous and dangerous studs with his own vehicle and evenly influences the driver of the bus Sandra Bullock
• Situation: The thriller of this movie was Jack, (Keanu) chased the bus to inform the driver that the bus needed to maintain the speed limit of 50 miles an hour or the bus would blow-up.
• Time Factor: This thrilling sequence of the movie lasts for approximately 5 or so minutes. The attention of the audience it kept throughout the movie as the dangerous driving behaviors continue.

This film was a thriller from beginning to end. Almost the entire movie demonstrated some form of inappropriate driving. The following is a list of dangerous driving behaviors that were exhibited by Jack: Aggression when he is behind the wheel, he follows the tailgates the cars in an attempt to force them to move out of his way. Jack plays the hero in this movie; unfortunately, the hero that saves everybody's life does it in an unrealistic, not to mention extremely dangerous way. This type of heroism can affect a child in an incredible way.

• Day: Saturday
• Date: October 11, 1997
• Time: 08:20 PM
• Channel: Rented Video
• Type: Movie
• Name of Program: Leaving Las Vegas

• Characters: Nicholas Cage portrays a father whose life is falling apart.
• Situation: Driving under the influence
• Time Factor: Each scene lasted approximately 2 to 4 minutes. There were at least 4 scene of irresponsible driving.

Today, our society is dealing with the issue of drunk driving or driving under the influence. This is a major problem that affects the different age groups. In my opinion this move encouraged DUI and showed the view that you have a 50 50 chance that you will not get caught. As I have said early driving is a privilege, if that privilege is abused than it should be taken away.

• Day: Saturday
• Date: October 11, 1997
• Time: 12:30 PM
• Channel: 15
• Type: commercial

• Characters: Racecar driver:
• Situation: This commercial contains two scenes that are interchanged, first a racecar driver is showed driving around the race track, then a gentlemen in should driving a sports car around a bend in the round at high speeds. Both cars have Goodyear tires
• Time Factor: Approximately 2 minutes

Most commercials that are car related items or accessories do in a way that makes speeding safe and exhilarating. Furthermore, it promotes the ideas that with these particular products one can accomplish fame money, status and so forth.

• Day: Saturday
• Date: October 11, 1997
• Time: 1:15 PM
• Channel: 15
• Type: commercial

• Characters: established business men
• Situation: The scene in this commercial is like a racetrack, the businessmen get into their vehicles. The vehicles are sporty vehicles. They are sitting at a stoplight waiting for the light to change so that they could speed off from the starting line. In the background you see men waving the black and white checkered flag as soon as the light turns green. The four of them take off speeding down to the next traffic light. Surprised, they stop.
• Time Factor: The race took about 20 seconds. The whole time the audience is sitting at the edge of their seats anticipating the outcome.

Many of the commercials that are shown on this station are racecar oriented. These commercials trick the viewer into thinking that these products will help your vehicles perform better. The amazing thing I notice was these commercials did not stress or emphasis the importance of regular car maintenance, rather maintenance for high speed or sporty performance.

• Day: Saturday
• Date: October 11, 1997
• Time: 2:09 PM
• Channel: 15
• Type: Sports event

• Characters: racecar drivers
• Situation: There are approximately 35 participants that are lined up according to the qualification run. The goals of the drivers are to travel at exceptional speeds to beat their opponents to the finish line. There drivers must manage their vehicles at excessive speeds and cut in and out of traffic to get up to the front line.
• Time Factor: This race lasts for approximately one hour.

An audience made up of mostly men views this event. Many men like the aggressive competitiveness that they experience from watching auto races. The problem with viewing this type of sports is that this behavior is often seen displayed on the public highways and streets. I am undecided about where or not it is okay for people to participate in these sports, because I am quite sure these participants are racing on the roads as well.

• Day: Sunday
• Date: October 12, 1997
• Time: 10:05 am
• Channel: 15
• Type: commercial

• Characters: a family consisting of a father, mother, daughter, son, newborn baby and a dog.
• Situation: The father is driving this vehicle while the mother and the children look out the window. Through the safe driving the narrator explains the features of this family utility vehicle.
• Time Factor: This commercial probably lasted for approximately 30 seconds.

Amazing, this was the only commercial that bad behavior was not prevalent. As I viewed this commercial, I did not notice any inappropriate or dangerous behavior exhibited.

Rating System: When is enough-- enough?

Writing this Report: How has it Influenced Me?

 MADD: Mary Against Dangerous Driving

The report has influenced my attitude towards driving. First of all, television has very little affect on my driving for the simple reason that I rarely ever watch any television. Secondly, what I have observed sadden me because I can imagine the impact and influence a child is affected with from watching television on a regular or a daily basis. Lastly, I believe that adult supervision is essential to safe and educational viewing. No child should be let to be "babysat" or "supervised" by the television. Completing this report has force to examine my own driving behaviors and to modify inappropriate driving techniques, for example wearing my seat belt.

Future Generations can perform the same type of outline as G7 and its ancestors. Continued reports or updated reports in and or itself will cause the online community to benefit from it. I see that in the near future no household will be without a computer, furthermore, libraries are beginning to make access to the internet available, therefore, the general community can benefit from these reports.

© The learning steps I experienced as a result of this report used to complete