The Effect of Information and Prior Contact on Attitudes Towards Mental Illness

Abstract

This study investigated whether participants given information about mental illness would have less negative attitudes towards the mentally ill than those given no information. Eighty introductory psychology students were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. One condition read an article giving facts of mental illness and the other an article on exercise. In both conditions people were measured on their attitudes towards the mentally ill. Prior contact with a person with mental illness was also assessed. Results found that participants given information on mental illness had significantly less negative attitudes towards the mentally ill. It was also found that prior contact was not a determinant in attitude differences towards the mentally ill.