The effect of increased information upon community perception of ex-mental patients

Data are presented for 30 suburban homeowners, which suggest they respond differentially to three levels of severity when rating the concept ex-mental patients via the semantic differential technique after having been given descriptive information about typical symptoms and behaviors. This finding contrasts with those from a previous study of similar suburbanites which indicated nonindividuation among severity of illness levels under minimal information conditions. A more favorable perception of mildly ill ex-mental patients resulted from the exposure to more information.