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| Chapter 6: Public Opinion |
| What Government Does and Why It Matters |
| Does what children see on television influence their behavior? To test this question, watch one hour of children’s cartoons, preferably with a small child. Count the number of acts of violence, such as hitting, killing, verbal assault, and so on. |
| 1. What cartoons did you watch? How many acts of violence did you count? |
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| 2. If you watched the cartoons with a child, what was his or her response to specific acts of violence? |
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| 3. Do you think cartoons are more violent today than when you were younger? If so, why? |
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| 4. In your opinion, is there a linkage between what children see on television and their social behavior? |
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| 5. Should the government control children’s viewing? Explain. |
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| 6. How have U.S. presidents tried to manipulate (shape) media coverage during their presidencies? How has the administration of George W. Bush attempted to control information? Do you think local media should air “video news releases” without citing their sources? |
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