TELEVISION - Feb. 26, 1992

A Black Eye for TV: Television took some licks Tuesday in a report from the American Psychological Assn. that said children are learning racial and sexual prejudices and violent behavior from the programs they watch. The report noted that the average child sees 8,000 murders and 100,000 other violent acts on TV by the time they leave elementary school, and claimed violence on television influences viewers--especially children and teen-agers--to use violence to resolve conflicts. The report was based on a five-year study by nine psychologists. It also noted that Saturday morning cartoons have four to five times the amount of violence as programs aired after children are in bed. All television was not condemned as equally bad, but the psychologists said children are especially vulnerable to its influences. TV could be an influence for good by teaching social skills and academics, they added.