Brendan Maguire

Network news coverage of school shootings

Abstract School shootings have become a subject of intense national debate. The present study is a content analysis and interpretation of television evening newscast coverage of these crimes. The focus is on ABC, CBS, and NBC nightly newscasts. Findings from this research support two propositions: that the most violent school shootings receive the most media coverage, and that the reporting of school shooting cases on network newscasts reflect the “herd mentality” nature of the media.

The secularization of religion and television commercials

Secularization theory had a privileged status within sociology for many decades. Recently, this theory has been challenged on a number of grounds. Specifically, researchers have argued that religion is not on the wane in modern society, but that it is an increasingly central and influential feature of contemporary social life. Hence, there is a debate within the sociology of religion concerning the viability of secularization theory. Findings from the present project, a content analysis of 797 television commercials^ show that religious symbolism is rarely featured by television advertisers. Only 16 out of 797 commercials contained religious or spiritual content. As discussed in the paper, this finding can be interpreted in various ways with regard to the present status of secularization theory.

Racial and ethnic stereotypes in professional wrestling

Abstract Wrestling burst into the mainstream of television entertainment and sports in recent years. A distinctive feature is the obstrusive use of racial and ethnic stereotypes. Synthesizing insights from cultural anthropology, phenomenological sociology, and Marxist theory, the psychoanalytic tradition, this article proposes a theoretical explanation of why the stereotypes are so marketable.

Image Vs. Reality: An Analysis of Prime-Time Television Crime and Police Programs

Abstract There are nineteen prime-time television crime and police shows. It is generally believed by social scientists that these programs distort the reality of American crime and policing. It has been many years, however, since there has been a scientific analysis of crime and police programs. The present project uses content analysis of 46 hours of videotape to document the content of these shows. Findings are situated in the context of criminological theory.

Seat belt laws and traffic fatalities: A research update

Abstract For nearly a decade it has been commonly assumed that seat belt laws save lives. Using traffic fatality data from 1983 through 1993 this paper offers evidence to call this assumption into question. For several years traffic fatality rates have been declining in roughly equal proportions in both law states and non-law states. Moreover, the most current data reveals that while seat belt legislation is positively associated with increased safety belt use, neither seat belt laws nor seat belt use rates are associated in any substantial way with traffic death rates. Also included in the paper is an extended discussion of some of the most prominent difficulties involved in researching the relationship between seat belt laws and traffic fatalities.

The status of sociology departments: An assessment of their current and future prospects

This paper examines the present and future status of sociology departments in the United States. An assessment is provided of both positive developments and problems experienced by departments and the discipline in general. Issues examined include student enrollment and degree recipients over the last two decades, enrollment trends in other disciplines, recent trends in advertised sociology faculty positions, the status of women and minorities, and which departments have and have not been eliminated. Based upon this assessment and the growing literature in the field dealing with these issues, future prospects for departments are discussed, problem areas are identified, and recommendations are made concerning the strengthening of the profession. While recognizing the challenges faced by sociology, this appraisal suggests that negative perceptions within the discipline concerning these difficulties can become exaggerated. Attention is directed to several issues affecting the status of sociology, including t...

AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING: EVOLUTION, CONTENT, AND POPULAR APPEAL

Over the past several years, professional wrestling, now referred to as sports entertainment, has become a hugely popular cultural phenomenon. There are several reasons to account for why tens of millions of Americans are attracted to this form of entertainment, but this article centers attention on three allures that stand out: excitement, intrigue, and political incorrectness. Content analysis suggests that these three foci form the core of pro wrestling program content. The present paper identifies the macrosocial forces that explain sociologically why these themes are especially marketable today: community breakdown, social disenchantment, and political correctness.

Television Commercial Content: Religion versus Science and Professional Expertise

Abstract This paper describes a content analysis in which 902 television commercials were coded for religious symbolism, science and professional expertise. Evidence obtained from this exploratory study is neither definitive nor exhaustive, but it is suggestive and provocative. Data show that religious symbolism is rarely found in television ads, and commercials using science or professional expertise constituted only nine percent of the sample. Apparently, television advertisers do not view appeals to religion or science as especially helpful for selling products.

The applied dimension of radical criminology: A survey of prominent radical criminologists

Radical criminology is known mostly for its theoretical focus. Though less attended to, there is a practical side to the perspective. With this in mind, the present study is a preliminary effort to delineate radical criminologys applied program as revealed through responses to a survey of prominent radical criminologists. Findings suggest that the future prospects for radical criminal justice policies are better than is commonly assumed. In particular, the paper presents a number of radical proposals which would change existing practices in police work, court procedure and correctional strategies.

Television News Coverage of the Police An Exploratory Study from a Small Town Locale

Perceptions of and about the police have many sources, not the least of which is television. Given the fact that Americans are more likely to encounter television police rather than real police, researchers have examined how the police are depicted on television. For the most part, however, research has focused on entertainment crime and police programs. The present project, an exploratory study of television news stories about the police and policing, offers a supplementary focus. The sample consists of a 5-week content analysis of national, big city, and small town newscasts drawn from a rural cable television system. Findings suggest noteworthy differences between big city and small town television news coverage of the police, albeit limitations of the methodology.