| Abstract: | To examine the effects of viewing the television film, “The Day After”, a questionnaire designed to measure attitudes, cognitions, and feelings about the threat of nuclear war was administered to 537 subjects before and after the airing of the film. A factor analysis of pre-viewing test responses yielded a seven-factor solution. Pre–post factor scores indicated increased worry and concern about nuclear war, decreased belief that nuclear war could be survived, increased concern about the occurrence of nuclear war, and increased agreement with views espoused by the nuclear-freeze movement only among subjects who had viewed the film. Subjects who chose not to view the film differed from those who did watch it in terms of greater denial and less involvement in nuclear related activities. The efficacy of the film as an agent of attitude change and the utility of the present questionnaire were discussed. |
