Citation

Rubinstein EA. J. Soc. Iss. 1976; 32(4): 18-34.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1540-4560.1976.tb02505.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The complex problem of discovering effective procedures for translating social science research into social policy and social action is examined through the history of the surgeon general's research program on television and social behavior, a case study for understanding the relationship between social science research and social policy. Recent history makes clear that a committee of stature providing a report of significance does not ensure social change, verbal warnings do not, laws mandating change do not. Nevertheless there are indications that the surgeon general's research program was effective in alerting the target audience and in affecting some change in programming trends. The rather curious way in which controversy and accusations of committee bias interacted to yield a positive impact is discussed. Finally, recommendations made to the senate subcommittee by the author as vice-chairman of the surgeon general's advisory committee are cited.

Language: en