Research and Reports
Gifted children do not watch as much television as their nongifted counterparts, are limited by their parents in the type and amount of programming they watch, and have established bedtimes that are as much as an hour earlier than those of other children, a study has found.
The study, conducted by Juanita G. Roderick, professor of elementary education at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio, was based on a survey of 65 gifted students and 65 nongifted students. Both groups attended "rather affluent" suburban Ohio middle schools, Ms. Roderick said.
The survey also indicated that3the gifted students did not want to model themselves after television characters, Ms. Roderick said, whereas the nongifted students said they had "heroes and heroines" on television shows. This could be because the gifted students "may be more secure in self-concept, more mature, and more realistic," she speculated.
The gifted children also said they would like to see more programs for children their age and more educational programs and shows about hobbies. The nongifted students wanted more soap operas, cartoons, and situation comedies.
Both groups said that there was too much violence on television.
Copies of the study are available by writing to: Juanita G. Roderick, Department of Elementary Education, Youngstown State University, 410 Wick Ave., Youngstown, Ohio 44555.