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FULLERTON

TV’s ‘Power Rangers’ Linked to Aggression

Parents and teachers are convinced that the more children watch “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” the more aggressive and less altruistic they become, according to a Cal State Fullerton study.

The study, conducted by child development professor Chris J. Boyatzis, is a follow-up to a 1993 survey that found children are more aggressive after watching the show.

In the original study, Boyatzis and another researcher observed that children who watched the show immediately responded by harassing playmates with karate kicks and aggressive shoves.

The program is about five teen-agers who metamorphose into spandex-clad super-heroes and use karate chops and magic swords to conquer monsters sent to Earth by evil villains.

The show’s creators have denied it makes youngsters violent and have said that each episode concludes with a positive message.

But, Boyatzis said the show “highlights violence to settle conflicts.”

He said he did the second study to find out if parents and teachers think the show teaches their children and students positive lessons on altruism, and if they believe it promotes aggression.

Boyatzis concluded that “Power Rangers” may have detrimental influences on children, particularly in the form of “slightly increased aggressiveness and lowered altruism.”

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COSTA MESA

OCC Gets New Admissions Dean

Nancy L. Kidder has assumed the post of Orange Coast College’s new administrative dean of admissions and records as of July 1.

Kidder came from OCC’s sister institution, Golden West College, where she had been a faculty member since 1975.

“I’ve always enjoyed working in admissions because it’s the front door of the college,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to be able to greet people and assist them in making important life decisions.”

In addition to her admissions work, she has vast experience as a counselor to students. The last position Kidder held at Golden West was as administrative dean for student services.

In addition to her full-time job, Kidder is pursuing a Ph.D. in international and intercultural education at USC. Kidder has a completed a year of post-graduate work and expects to be awarded her doctorate in three years.

She said her studies will assist in her work at OCC as she takes over responsibility for the school’s International Students’ Program, which is one of the largest student groups on campus. OCC enrolls about 600 students from around the world.

--COMPILED BY MIMI KO AND HOPE HAMASHIGE