The socio-psychological effects of science fiction film: the “Alien” image’s impact on personality

Keywords: Alien image, science fiction film, self-image, socio-psychological characteristics, identification, semantic structures

Abstract

Introduction. This study examines the influence of Ridley Scott’s science fiction film Blade Runner (1982) on individuals’ self-reflection. The visual image of the “Alien” in the film is conceptualized as a basis for re-evaluating and restructuring one’s self-concept. Aim – to study the effects on the personality of the science fiction film “Blade Runner”, which conveys the image of the “Alien”. Materials and methods. The study involved 62 first-, second-, and third-year university students from Chelyabinsk, including 32 psychology students and 30 economics students. The California Psychological Inventory (CPI) and the Personality Differential were employed to assess self-perception shifts. Results. Group-level analysis demonstrated changes in participants’ self-image perception following film exposure. These effects were mediated by socio-psychological characteristics: psychology students demonstrated increased perceived sociability and social engagement, whereas economics students reported increased conscientiousness, stubbornness, and irritability alongside reduced social focus. Key effects emerged from analyzing self-image dynamics: self-image expansion; self-image reduction; self-image re-evaluation; and self-image stabilization. Correlation analysis between self-perception and the “Alien” image perception demonstrated positive/negative identification effects across personality qualities and a “mirror symmetry” effect between verbal activity and moral self-assessment. Conclusion. The identified effects can be used in art therapy, personal development training, and social cognition interventions.

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Author Biographies

E. I. Titova , South Ural State Medical University (64 Vorovskiy str., Chelyabinsk, 454141, Russia)

Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Leading Research Associate, Associate Professor

T. V. Nalivaiko , South Ural State University (76 Lenin Ave., Chelyabinsk, 454080, Russia)

Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Leading Research Associate, Associate Professor, Chair of general psychology, psychodiagnostics and psychological counseling

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References on translit

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Published
2025-07-01
How to Cite
Titova, E., & Nalivaiko, T. (2025). The socio-psychological effects of science fiction film: the “Alien” image’s impact on personality. Psychology. Psychophysiology, 18(2), 47-59. https://doi.org/10.14529/jpps250205
Section
Methodological and theoretical issues of psychology