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Television programming and disability: a ten year span.
Summary
Television portrayals of disability shifted significantly between 1968 and 1978. While paraplegia dominated early depictions, mental illness became the most frequent disability shown by 1978.
Area of Science:
- Media Studies
- Disability Studies
- Sociology
Background:
- Television programming significantly influences public perception and understanding of various societal issues, including disability.
- Previous research indicates a historical underrepresentation and often stereotypical portrayal of individuals with disabilities in media.
- Understanding trends in disability representation is crucial for promoting accurate and inclusive media narratives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare the portrayal of disability in television programming across two distinct time periods: 1967-68 and 1977-78.
- To identify changes and continuities in the types of disabilities depicted, program genres, and networks featuring disability.
- To examine the evolution of disability representation in television over a decade.
Main Methods:
- A comparative content analysis of television programs aired during the 1967-68 and 1977-78 seasons.
- Data collection focused on variables including network, program type, specific disability portrayed, time slot, and program length.
- Quantitative analysis to determine frequencies and identify significant trends in disability representation.
Main Results:
- Network dominance shifted from NBC in 1968 to the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) in 1978, with PBS showing increased overall programming.
- Program types evolved from movies in 1968 to dramatic series, children's programming, news documentaries, and telethons in 1978.
- The most frequent disability portrayal changed from paraplegia (influenced by 'Ironside') in 1968 to mental illness in 1978, with emotional disturbance consistently present.
Conclusions:
- Television's portrayal of disability underwent notable shifts over the decade, reflecting changes in programming focus and societal concerns.
- Commercial networks prioritized entertainment, while PBS demonstrated a greater focus on public service programming related to disability.
- Mental illness and emotional disturbance emerged as consistent themes in popular television programming concerning disability.