Children's Perceptions of and Identification with the Social Reality of The Cosby Show: A Comparison between the USA and South Africa

Abstract

The way in which blacks are depicted in The Cosby Show deviates from stereotype expectations and the programme was very popular in the USA and South Africa. In this study the realism with which South African white and black children perceived The Cosby Show was compared with the perceived realism of American children according to a study by Brown, Austin and Roberts. In both studies socio-economic status or income and ethnic group membership had a significant bearing on perceived realism. A factor analysis of the South African data identified eight factors: role identification, peer group identification, family communication, preference for The Cosby Show, solving family problems, stereotyping, family interaction and perceived realism. A multiple linear regression analysis with role identification as dependent variable indicated that ethnic group membership and age were significant predictors. A path analysis revealed that family interaction, family communication and peer group identification were significant predictors of role identification. Peer group identification, role identification and family communication were significant predictors of preference for The Cosby Show. The conclusion is drawn that identification could play an important role in the popularity of The Cosby Show among South African children, and particularly among black children.