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

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.