Theories of Behaviour and the Image of the Alcoholic in Popular Magazines 1900 - 1966

Theories of Behaviour and the Image of the Alcoholic in Popular Magazines 1900-1966

By Arnold S. Linsky.

Linsky, A (1971) Theories of Behaviour and the Image of the Alcoholic in Popular Magazines 1900-1966. In The Public Opinion Quarterly vol 34 (4) pp 573-581

What it's about?

This article uses data collected from popular magazines to argue that public opinion towards the 'alcoholic' has changed over the years. The article states that people have come to believe that alcoholism is caused by something within the individual rather than something external, and are expressing much greater feelings of sympathy and acceptance towards individuals suffering from alcohol addiction.

How this relates to my project?

My project focuses on homelessness as oposed to alcoholism, however, both are seen as a type of social deviance and issues of addiction often run alongside homelessness. In this article, Linsky suggests that it isn't just the public opinion on alcoholism that is changing, he feels that public opinion on other forms of social deviance are also altering,

"The pattern of changed found is interpreted as reflecting in part cultural changes in popular conceptions of man's nature and social relationships which go far beyond the problems of alcohol, and which affect views of both normal and abnormal behaviour." (Linsky, A: 1971: 581)

Here Linsky is suggesting that human beings are becomming more open to having their opinions changed. This contrasts with the views of Berger and Luckmann in the previous reading who suggest that stereotypes exist as human beings are unable to see any possible alternative way of understanding. However, it puts me as a film maker in a good position. If people are becoming open to new ways of understanding, then hopefully my film will have the desired affect and will cause them to rethink thier current understanding of homelessness.

How can these ideas help me develop my film?

At this stage I'm not too sure how the ideas suggested in this article will influence the development of my film. However, I am feeling more comfortable with the idea of offering an alternative view on homelessness. This article has made me feel that the audience will be more accepting of an alternative.