Physiological, Behavioral, and Psychological Effects Associated with Television Viewing in Schoolboys: An Exploratory Study

This study of 50 eleven-year-old boys demonstrates a new procedure for gathering physiological, psychological, and behavioral data on television viewing in the home environment on a normal school day, using a special ambulatory monitoring device capable of storing 23-hour records. The mean time spent watching TV was 123 minutes per day, during which the boys watched mostly entertainment and action shows. Heart rate as compared to the other programs was low for entertainment and high for action shows. Additional heart rate indicating emotional arousal was highest for action shows as well. Compared to school and leisure time, additional heart rate during TV viewing was much higher As opposed to boys who watched little TV, those with high TV consumption displayed lower heart rate and lower emotional arousal during TV viewing. Boys with high TV consumption read fewer books, showed diminished activities outside home, a tendency for reduced school-related homework, and reduced interest in hobbies.

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