Lit Review Summary

The study of the impact of visual imagery on the act of learning and behavior modification is very complex (Janas, 2000). The outcome of such learning can be positive or negative depending on the manner that it is being done and by whom (Janas, 2000; Skinner, 1979; Spock, 1998; Mander, 1996). From my review of related literature, I have identified a significant gap of information that would point to any correlation between television viewing and its current possible behavioral effects (Johnson, 1999; Mander, 1992; Postman, 1986) combining with the advancing utilization of digitalized images into both television and computer viewing (Bauder, 1998; Cringley, 1999; Froomkin, 1995). This progression to the fully digitized media that now replaces the traditional non-interactive television with that of a fully integrated computer browser window/TV viewing multi-media device warrants further study. Once one researches the literature concerning such topics as Ivan Pavlov and John B. Watson's studies in behavior modification (Knight, 1998, Sutphen, 2000); and the historic uses of brainwashing techniques (Hunter, 1958; Kocher, 2000; Sutphen, 2000), and then reads accounts of studies of children's behavior after prolonged viewing of television (Johnson, 1999; Mander, 1978; Shanto, 1994) the need for the asking more questions concerning the acceptance of this everyday occurrence needs to be addressed. When one reads about the potential of totalitarianism taking hold (Huxley, 1946; Orwell, 1949; Mander & Goldsmith, 1996); brainwashing and the prerequisites for its success (Hunter, 1958), and the increase of monopolies controlling the information sources (Iyenger, 1994; Mander & Goldsmith, 1996) and all the while knowing that at on any given evening there are millions of people viewing the exact same image and hearing the exact same message over and over again, repeatedly. Night after night this occurs (Neilsen, 1999). Combining these facts with the knowledge that it was once impossible to know who was actually viewing a commercial or show and what the particular person's interests and socio-economic status was, but now it is possible to know this information. Brainwashing is most successful when the subject's interests, fears and political affiliations are known beforehand. There is no anonymity in TV and computer entertainment anymore (Froomkin, 1995; Froomkin, 1996). This research study is very much concerned with society's involvement with television and how it has become such an all-consuming occupation for so many.
There seems to be a major avoidance, throughout the related literature, to tie together the threads that bind the various media formats together with the reality of how simple it is to create massive databases of information on everyone who uses these technologies. How those databases are used and by whom are questions that need to be answered.

Gathering information concerning topics that include 'keywords' such as brainwashing; communism; totalitarianism; tri-lateral commission; corporations, etc. on the Internet can and will lead a researcher into many types of sites, some not too pleasant. I am very cognizant of the ability of others to trace a site visitor's origin and I was diligent at masking my research trail as much as I could. I do not wish to have SPAM (unsolicited email messages) sent to me from those who run various web sites. I do not want my name added to someone's' list as being interested in certain subjects. I mention this as information important to other researchers. Information on the Net is two-way. Information on the Net should be questioned at all times. Check the source of the information. Sometimes, when an author's name is not listed you will be able to ascertain critical information to use as a resource by checking out the source code for the site;Toolbar | View | Source… in Internet Explorer, similar directions for any other browser window). I have always made it a point to email any web author whose work I enjoyed reading or have found useful. I have received replies often. Those who have been cited in my paper and who were from the Net have all received an email from me and I have several requests for copies of the research once it is completed. The Internet can and is a very useful tool. It needs to remain in the hands of the many, not the few (Froomkin, 1996).
Chapter 3 explains the design and methodology that I used in my research. The resulting analysis that I have provided in Chapter 4 will tie in with the information given in this review.