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Dehumanization and the Total Institution (1966)

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Museum

Sound

1966

Color

English

Highlights

Detective Rob Spy receives a phone call from Chief

Chief warns Spy about "dehumanization"

Invisible Agent 5 describes each character's role

Spy and A5 visit the police force and observe "De"

A5 defines a "controlled community" as a "total institution"

Spy and A5 visit the military, an example of a total institution

Spy and A5 visit a prison

Spy and A5 visit a hospital for people who are mentally ill

Spy and A5 read off a checklist of signs that dehumanization is present in a total institution

A5 defines institutional neurosis to Spy

Chief reads a list of questions in regards to dehumanization within institutions, specifically within mental hospitals

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Produced in 1966 by Studio One Animation, this short educational film analyzes various institutions and the presence of dehumanization within them. The film is a project of former Official of the Department of Public Welfare Miriam Karlins and Medical Director David J. Vail. Karlins and Vail worked towards eliminating dehumanization within state institutions, specifically mental hospitals, by analyzing living conditions and humane practices. The film uses animation and humor to address the psychological foundation of numerous institutions, including the military, police force, and mental hospitals. A topic that may otherwise appear dry and overly academic uses comedic relief with a clumsy detective, Rob Spy, a pleasant combination of pun and metaphor, and cartoon-like animation. Please note: The film uses outdated terms to describe individuals with mental disabilities. The Texas Archive of the Moving Image does not condone such language, but presents this film as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as to claim these terms never existed.

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