Impact of the Film, “One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest,” on Attitudes towards Mental Illness

Abstract

Films have been neglected by psychologists, yet their powerful impact is shown in a field study of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Prior to the release of this film, 146 college students were administered a questionnaire on attitudes towards mental illness. Subsequent to the release of the film, they were readministered the questionnaire, when 85 had seen the film and 39 had not. Finally, a third administration occurred after half of the subjects had watched a television documentary designed to balance the film's portrayal of life in a mental institution. Analysis indicated substantial negative changes in attitude in four of the five areas investigated after viewing the film, but no change after the televised documentary.