Results

The results of the study conducted brought many revelations to light. The final results of

the study included the participation of 24 Howard University students between the ages 21 and

23 (majority being males). When asked how many hours of television they watched per week,

50% stated that they watch one to three hours a week. 29.2% of participants stated that they

watch 3 to 6 hours of television every week. 16.7% of participants claimed they watch between 6

and 10 hours of television every week. At just 4.2%, only one person admitted to watching over

ten hours of television every week.

The first part of the questionnaire is one of the most crucial areas of the study. In this section of

the study, each participant takes a self-esteem assessment test to determine their current level of

self-esteem. The responses for this section were crucial to my research. For this section,

participants were expected to read each statement (regarding themselves) and then choose how

strongly they agree or disagree. This The first statement stated as follows: On the whole, I am

satisfied with myself. A majority of 58.3% of participants stated agree while 29.2% stated that

they strongly agree. Only 12.5% of students chose to disagree with the statement presented.
This data was in no way surprising as many college students are often preoccupied with their

studies and less inclined to watch television as often as they did when they were younger living

with their families.

The second questions in the self-esteem assessment portion stated I feel that I have number of

good qualities. The majority of participants chose the strongly agree option. A total of 19

people (79.2% of the 24 participants) chose this option. The five remaining participants (20.8%)

chose the agree option.

The third question stated I am able to do things as well as most other people. The majority of

participants strongly agreed with this statement with 14 people choosing this option (58.3%).

Nine students (37.5% of participants) chose the agree option. Once again, only one person

chose the disagree option at 4.2%.

The fourth statement stated I feel that I am a person of worth. The majority of participants

stated that they strongly agreed with this statement with 19 participants choosing this option (or

79.2%). Only 5 participants chose the option agree at 20.8%.

The final (and most crucial) statement stated I have a positive attitude toward myself. The

results of this showed that a majority of 11 students strongly agreed with this statement at 45.8%

while just beneath that, 10 students claimed they simply agree with the statement. A total of three

people (12.5% of participants) selected that they disagreed with this statement.
The second part of the questionnaire focused on how aware these individuals were/are of more

Eurocentric centered images on television. It also focuses on whether or not these images or

ideals have in any overtly way, impacted the way each individual views him/herself. The first

questions asked each participant how well represented are the African Americans on the

television shows that you watch? The majority of participants claimed that they believed

African Americans are somewhat well represented with 14 people selecting this option (58.3%).

Seven participants agreed that they are not well represented (29.2%). Only 12.5% of participants

(3 students) believed that they are fairly well represented.

The second question is this part of the survey asked participants how they would describe the

portrayals of African Americans on television? The majority of participants (10 people) agreed

that they would describe the portrayals of African Americans of television as somewhat

negative with 41.7% choosing that option. Eight people (at 33.3%) agreed that these images and

portrayals are somewhat positive. Four people (at 16.7%) believed that the portrayals are very

negative. Only one person agreed that the portrayals they witness are very negative (at 4.2%).

The fourth question asked each participant As a child watching television, how aware were you

of any differences in the portrayal of African American & White characters? Ten people
(41.7%) agreed that they were somewhat aware of these differences, while 9 people (at 37.5%)

agreed that they were not aware at all. Only 20.8% of participants (5 people) claimed that they

were very aware.

The final question in this survey asked participants if they believed that images on television

have shaped the way they view themselves and their African American peers. A total of nine

people chose the option of yes as well as the option of no. Six people (at 25%) chose the

option maybe.