In order to evaluate how individual characteristics of hospitalized children influence their acquisition of information presented in a film depicting preparation for surgery, 42 children between the ages of 4 to 17 were assigned to experimental and control groups that were matched for age, sex, race, type of surgery and previous hospital experience. The experimental subjects viewed a film presenting information concerning hospital procedures and control subjects viewed a film unrelated to hospitals. Several measures were taken, including baseline, pre-, and post-treatment measures of heart rate and Palmar Sweat Index. A questionnaire designed to assess the amount of information children had about general hospital procedures related to surgery, called the Hospital Information Test, was administered to both experimental and control groups immediately following film presentation. In addition, an IQ test and several other measures were administered. Measures of postoperative recovery were taken from medical charts and through questionnaires administered after the children had left the hospital. Hypotheses concerning the effectiveness of the film presentation, age differences in learning the information presented, the effect of children's prior experience of surgery on their learning of the information presented, and arousal level as a predictor of information acquisition were tested. Results are discussed. (Author/RH)