I. Theoretical perspectives and research methodology -- 1. Theoretical perspectives -- Social learning and social cognitive theory -- Cultivation theory -- Uses and gratifications theory -- An overview and integration -- 2. Research methodologies -- Research designs -- Research settings -- Research timelines -- Participant populations and sample selection -- Data collection -- Data analysis -- II. Cognitive aspects of media experience -- 3. Information processing -- Attention -- Comprehension -- Retention -- Linguistic and holistic aspects -- 4. Language, reading, and academic achievement -- Language development -- Television and reading -- Television and academic achievement -- Television and other skill development -- School versus television -- Methodological issues -- III. Social, emotional, and behavioral aspects of media experience -- 5. Violence and aggression -- Depictions of violence -- Research to date -- Types of violence -- Intervening variables -- Causal explanations -- Other effects of viewing violence -- Intervention strategies -- 6. Cultural diversity -- Media portrayals -- Stereotypes in the media -- Effects of stereotypic portrayals -- Developmental and gender differences -- Family background -- Counterstereotypic portrayals -- 7. Advertising and behavior -- Advertising's presence -- Nature of advertising's appeal -- Mediating variables -- Stereotypes in advertising -- Critical viewing of advertising -- "Advertising" campaigns in other areas -- 8. Television and the family -- Television and other family activities -- Television models of families -- Coviewing with parents -- Coviewing with siblings -- Families and perceived reality -- Impact of VCRs and DVDs -- 9. Health-related issues -- Use of mass media -- Sexual behavior -- Drug and alcohol use -- Tobacco use -- Body image and eating disorders -- 10. Social/emotional issues -- Fear and anxiety -- Social relationships -- Prosocial behavior -- Other effects -- Exceptional children -- High-risk children -- IV. Other technologies -- 11. New technologies and computer usage -- New technologies -- Computer use -- Access to information -- Interactivity -- Differential access -- 12. Technologies for information -- The Internet -- Computers in schools -- New initiatives -- 13. Technologies for entertainment -- VCRs, DVDs, and cable -- Music videos -- Computer and video games -- Virtual reality -- V. Interventions and conclusions -- 14. Intervention strategies -- Media literacy education -- Ratings systems -- Technological aids -- Parent strategies and education -- Other initiatives -- 15. Summary, conclusions, and future directions -- Summary and conclusions -- Future research questions and directions.