The article aims to assess whether data is consistent with critics’ claims on the effects of talk show viewing on the social reality beliefs of adolescents. Critics hypothesize the following negative effects occur (on adolescents) as a result of talk-show viewing: 1) a incessant focus on bizarre behavior and social deviance leading viewers to accept distorted versions of reality, 2) desensitization to the suffering of others occurs due to (regular) viewer immunity to graphic discussions and guest …showed first 75 words of 279 total…

…showed last 75 words of 279 total…it may take [talk-show viewing]. The results of the survey provided support for the first hypothesis, disputed the second and proved contrary to the third, actually establishing a positive relationship between talk-show viewing and the importance of social issues. Although talk-shows have an effect on adolescents, the data did not suggest that adolescents are corrupted by watching them. Stacey Davis and Marie-Louise Mares, “Effects of Talk Show Viewing on Adolescents,” Journal of Communication, (1988) p.69-85.