`How Tv Programs Affect Teenager's Behavior' | `How Tv Programs Affect Teenager's Behavior'

CHAPTER 1

1.1 Introduction

We had been given a task which was to do a research in a certain topic and come up with the analysis and findings on the topic that we choose. For the researcher, he chooses the topic on `How TV programmes affect teenager's behaviour'. The reason the researcher chooses this topic is because based on previous facts, the researcher believes that TV is one of the major medium of media that influenced the viewers mind and behaviour. This applies especially to teenagers.

Even nowadays as we see smoking campaign or advertisement on television, it has no effect to the society but on the contrary, each passing day, more teenagers started smoking as a result of being exposed to smoking, through films and drama on TV. Looking into depths of this scenario, I certainly believe that this research is relevant in order to prove that TV really does affect teenager's behaviour though it might not be all the time, but when it does, it can inflict to tragedy.

1.2 Statement of problem

Nowadays, the societies are unaware of some bad implications caused by the media,

such as TV. This is because they are used to it since having a TV in a house nowadays is also considered a need. Therefore there are no actions taken to avoid some of the programmes from being shown as most of the people assumed that the programmes being shown on air are meant for the public to watch. In my research, I will find out whether TV can really influenced teenagers behaviour.

1. 3 Objective of study
1. To determine whether TV programmes really does affect teenagers behaviour.
2. To measure the effects caused by watching TV and ways to overcome the problem.

1.4 Research Question

1. Does TV programmes really affects teenagers behaviour?
2. Are there any effects caused by watching TV?
3. What are the ways to overcome the problem?

CHAPTER 2

2.1 Literature Review

In a research done by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, it is stated that they have found that American children watch three to four hours of television daily. Due to frequently watching TV, they have become immune to the horror of violence and gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems. Some of them even imitate the violence they see on TV. Even children, who watch violent shows, even `just funny' cartoons, are more likely to hit out their playmates, argue, disobey in class, leave task unfinished.

"Violent programmes on television lead to aggressive behaviour by children and teenagers who watch those programmes." That's the word from a 1982 report by the National Institute of health and mental, a report that confirmed and extended an earlier study done by the Surgeon General. As a result of these and other research findings, the American Psychological Association passed a resolution in February 1985; informing broadcasters and the public of the potential dangers that viewing violence on television can have for children.

Another interesting fact about teenage behaviours and TV influence is from the newspaper article by Marilyn Elias. There is a statement by a psychologist, Rebecca Collins of RAND Corp. in Santa Monica, California saying that kids who said they watched more sex-oriented programmes at the beginning of the year were more likely than others their age to become sexually active during the next year. Those in the top 10% for viewing of sexually related scenes were twice as likely to engage in intercourse as those in the lowest 10%, Collins says. The more sex-oriented scenes they saw, the more likely they were to become sexually active.

"It's social learning: `monkey see, monkey do," Collins says. "If everyone's talking about sex or having it, and something bad hardly ever comes out of it, it doesn't on TV, then they think, `Hey, the whole world's doing it, and I need to.'"

Doctor Joseph Allen of the University of Virginia says that physical maturity also matters. More sexually developed youngsters feel readier for sex and more likely to be sexually active, Allan says, "and almost certainly these kids would be watching more sexy TV shows."

Television executives were skeptical, too. "With all due respect to RAND, we do not believe that one show can alter a person's sexual behaviour," says HBO spokesman Jeff Cusson. HBO aired Sex and the City, one of the programmes tracked in the study.

Therefore, teenagers whose parents supervised their activities closely were less likely to watch sexually oriented shows.

CHAPTER 3

3.1 Methodology

After finding the right topic, I moved on to the next phrase which is methodology. In this phase, I sort out the things that needs to be done throughout the research and focus on which group of targets will I be doing a research on.

As a researcher, I need to conduct and carry my research in a systematic way so that

the data can be portrayed in an arranged manner and would be easy to be comprehended by others who are doing the same research.

3.2 Subject/ Respondent

For this paper research, the researcher chooses all the 25 students from class 3 TESL1 to complete the research as the researcher feels that it is important to know the students reaction towards the problem and whether they can relate their experience so that the researcher evaluate and analyze the findings.

3.3 Instrument

For the instrument, the researcher used to carry out a survey buy giving questionnaires to do students. The questionnaires consist of sixteen questions which orientates on the question whether TV programmes can affect teenagers behaviour.

After that, all the questionnaires will be analyzed and will be put in a graphic organizer so that the data can be seen and comprehend. After the data have been properly arranged, I will have to interpret the data and explain the reason from my findings.

Finally, the conclusion of the research as well as recommendation will also be look into matter or provided as a final closing to make sure that actions can be taken to overcome TV programme from becoming a `lethal threat'.

CHAPTER 4

4.1 Findings and Analysis

Question:

1. What types of television programme do you prefer watching"

TYPES OF PROGRAMMES STUDENTS PREFER TO WATCH

Actions 7 28%

Cartoons 3 12%

Educational programme 2 8%

Others 6 24%

Based on the table above, we can see that 28% of the students prefer watching action scenes or programme. One of the reasons maybe is because when they watch this programme, they became thrilled and amazed since some of the scenes uses special effects such as boms and so on.

Meanwhile, 12% of the students prefer watching cartoons. This maybe because sometimes the students suffer stress and to avoid it from becoming even worst they find a programme that is not only entertaining but also light and can ease away their stress.

8% of the students prefer watching educational programmes as they feel that it is important because it would help them in their studies thus giving them the upper hand to answer examination question.

Finally 24% of the students prefer watching other programmes such as drama. The remaining six students have a mixture preference of watching TV programmes.

2. How many hours do you often spend in front of the television"

HOURS SPEND IN FRONT OF THE TELEVISION

Based on the bar graph, we see that, 4 out of 25 students or 16% spend only about an hour in front of television. Maybe it is because they do not prefer wasting time in front of the TV and watches programmes that are only beneficial to them and gives them input as well as data.

8 students or 32% spend their time in front of the TV for 2-3 hours. The equal amount of students also spends their time to watch TV for 3-4 hours. All these students maybe have a normal rate of watching TV and know how to manage their programmes and balanced it between beneficial programmes or educational programmes and entertainment.

The question that follows has a similar issue with one another.

3. Do you idolized TV stars?
4. Have you ever felt like becoming a TV star?
5. Would you abandon your studies so that you can focus on being a TV star?

QUESTION REGARDING TV STARS

QUESTIONS REGARDING TV STARS/IDOL

Idolize TV stars Becoming TV stars Give up studies

Yes 5 6 4

No 20 19 21

The bar graph above indicates the collective data regarding TV stars/idols. Based on the bar graph, we can say that not many among the 3 TESL 1 students who idolized TV stars. From the source above it stated that only 5 out of 25 students of this class or 20% of the students idolized TV stars. Basically, we can say that most of these students are aware of the life style faced by TV celebrities, which they lead a hectic life.

Beside that, from the data, we can also conclude that the students in this class are more concern on knowledge and having a proper job in the future rather than being a TV star. 19 of them or 76% have no interest of becoming TV stars while 6 of them have a preference on becoming one.

The final question involving TV stars is whether the students would give up their studies just to focus on being a TV star. 4 out of 25 agree or 16% agrees to do so. This maybe because eventhough life as a TV star is not too promising, once they got the opportunity, they can make a large amount of money.

Overall view of the question, we can jump to conclusion that the students from 3 TESL 1, have a similarity and that is, being a TV star is not promising.

6. What is your reaction towards violence shown on television?

REACTION TOWARDS VIOLENCE SHOWN ON TELEVISION

It's fine with me 9 36%

Happens all the time 3 12%

It's bad for the children 10 40%

Feel like imitating it 3 12%

The pie chart indicates that nearly half of the students in 3 TESL 1 or to be specific, 40% believe that violence is bad for children. Some of the scene shown really can bring negative impacts and might even cause them to suffer emotionally or phobia in the future.

12% of the students act normally towards violence shown on TV while another 12% confessed that they even feel like imitating the violent scene shown on TV. And lastly 36% says that they can accept this kind of programme.

7. Do you think that you are influenced with negative scenes shown from the TV"

BELIEVE BEING INFLUENCE BY TV

Believe that are being influenced by negative scenes from TV

yes no

7 18

From the chart, we can say that more than half of the students in 3 TESL 1 disagree that they are influenced by negative scenes shown on TV. Surprisingly, 7 of the students or 28% believes that their behaviour is slightly influence from negative scenes on TV.

Question 8, 10, 14, and 16 that follows are parallel and will be put in one data.

8. Would you have the nerve to jump from a hundred feet high building after you have

watched the stunt scene on TV?

10. Have you considered becoming a debator yourself?
14. Would you smoke even once just to know how it feels like after watching the

advertisement"

16. Do you think that you will imitate the racing moves you watched on TV"

QUESTION OF WHETHER ONE 'WILL' OR 'WILL NOT' DO

Jumping from a building Become a debator Start smoking Imitate race moves

Will 1 8 2 4

Will Not 24 17 23 21

Based on the bar graph above, the data indicates that only 4% is willing to jump from a high building and the remains refused to. Maybe because they are aware of the circumstances and the odds they refuse as it can jeopardize their life.

Beside that, 32% of the students in 3 TESL 1 have a liking of become a debator after they watch a debate competition. Some of them feel energized and stunned by the way debator conveys his ideas and express himself.

Another question which is quite common is whether the students will start smoking when they see smoking advertisement shown on TV. 92% says that they would not. Only 8% says that they would do so. Maybe they feel that smoking is cool as they have seen many popular individuals or personnel who smoke.

Finally, 16% of the students answered that they would be willing to try the racing moves after watching it TV. Most of them realized the danger and consequences, however for the sake of fun, fame, and glory, they are willing to give it a try.

Question 11 and 12 are regarding sexual scenes.

11. Do you feel irritated when you see a sexual scene on TV?
12. Do you think that the actors involved are immoral?

QUESTION REGARDING SEXUAL SCENES ON TV

Feel irritated Immoral actors

Yes 12 11

No 12 13

The bar graph in the previous page, shows indicates the collective data regarding sexual scenes on TV. Based on the graph, 50% of the students or half of them confessed that they feel irritated when watching sexual scenes on TV. Meanwhile the other 50% say that it is fine with them and they feel that such scenes are normal.

In today's world, the media itself have become a medium of exposure, not only focusing on issues such as educations, news and entertainment, but also negative acts committed by certain society throughout the world. Since this trend have been going on for quite a period of time, the society's way of thinking have changed and their acceptance on sensitive issues and programme such as sexual scenes are clearly portrayed. Therefore, it is not astonishing or shocking, when we find that some individuals can accept this kind of programme.

Moving on to the second question, which is whether the actors as well as actress involved in sexual scenes are immoral or not, we find that less than half of the students thinks that the actors involved are immoral. This proves what I have said earlier whereby such scenes and behaviours have become a normal thing to the so society and they can adapt or live with it.

CHAPTER 5

5.1 Conclusion

As a conclusion I believe that it is clear that TV programmes can actually influence teenager's behaviours. Looking in the response gave by the respondents proves that this issue really is happening among the society. Without proper actions being taken, the situation might end up worst. Therefore all the people in the society need to hold hand together and co-operate as a team in order to overcome the problem.

5.2 Recommendation

Knowing that TV programmes can sometimes inflict to negative things, there are a few steps that can be taken to overcome this situation. One of them is through parent role. Parents should be concern of what their children watch on TV as they would just digest it without thinking. With the appropriate attention, parents can avoid their children from being drawn into negative things. Parents should also offset peer pressure among friends and classmates, contact other parents and agree to enforce similar rules about the length of time and type of program the children may watch.

Beside that, the TV broadcaster should also take this matter into concern and needs to tolerate. Sometimes, they have to understand that there are certain programmes that are not suitable for the viewers especially the teenagers as well children. Therefore they need to analyze again and see to determine whether the show is right or not to be shown on air.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,

http://www.practical parent.org.uk/tv.htm

 Marilyn Elias, TV might rush teens into sex,

http://www.USA TODAY.com