Tartışmalı Üç Mesih Deneyi ve Yankıları

Summary

The script narrates a fascinating psychological experiment from the 1950s involving three men, each believing they were Jesus Christ. The experiment, led by Dr. Milton Rokeach, aimed to explore how delusions and identities form and change. Despite intense interactions and provocations, none of the participants relinquished their beliefs, highlighting the resilience of delusional convictions. The experiment sparked significant ethical debates in psychiatry and psychology, emphasizing the importance of informed consent and respect for human rights in research.

Takeaways

• 😯 In the 1940s, a strange coincidence occurred at a hospital in Maryland where two women, both believing they were the Virgin Mary, were admitted and faced each other, leading to an identity conflict.
• 🤔 The hospital staff, intrigued by the conversation between the two women, witnessed an enlightening moment when the older woman suggested they could both be Mary, resolving the conflict.
• 🔬 The story caught the attention of social psychologist Dr. Milton Rokeach, who pondered whether this could be used as a therapeutic method for patients with similar delusions.
• 🏥 Dr. Rokeach initiated an experiment in 1959 at the Ionia State Hospital in Michigan, bringing together three patients, each believing they were Jesus Christ, to observe their interactions.
• 👥 The three patients were Joseph, who identified with the Christian Trinity concept; Clyde Benson, who claimed to be God and Jesus; and Leon, who had his birth certificate stating he was the reincarnation of Jesus.
• 🗣️ The experiment involved controlled discussions and confrontations among the patients, with Dr. Rokeach and his assistants provoking them to talk about their beliefs.
• 💥 Tensions escalated to the point of physical altercations, with the oldest patient attacking the youngest with a broom, highlighting the intensity of their delusions.
• 🧩 Despite months of observation and intervention, none of the patients relinquished their belief that they were Jesus, indicating the resilience of their delusional identities.
• 🚫 Dr. Rokeach eventually discontinued the control group and increased control over the experimental group, reflecting ethical concerns and the complexity of managing such a study.
• 📚 The experiment raised significant ethical debates about patient consent, information disclosure, and the conduct of psychological research, influencing the establishment of ethical standards in psychology and psychiatry.
• 🎥 The story inspired a 2020 film titled '3 Christs' featuring actors like Peter Dinklage and Richard Gere, offering a dramatized portrayal of the events.

Q & A

What unusual event took place in a hospital in Maryland in the 1940s involving two women?

In the 1940s, two women were admitted to a hospital in Maryland, both of whom believed they were the Virgin Mary, leading to an identity conflict when they met each other.

How did the hospital staff resolve the identity conflict between the two women who believed they were the Virgin Mary?

The conflict was resolved when the older woman suggested that if one of them was Mary, the other must be her mother, leading to a mutual acceptance and celebration of their 'enlightenment'.

What did doctors observe in the weeks following the resolution of the identity conflict involving the two women?

The doctors noticed that the older woman, who had given up her belief of being Mary, responded much faster to treatment and was soon considered recovered.

What did Dr. Milton Rh, a social psychologist, wonder after reading about this case in a 1955 issue of Harper's magazine?

Dr. Milton Rh wondered if this kind of identity conflict could be used as a therapeutic method to treat patients with similar delusions or even the exact same delusions.

How did Dr. Milton Rh's experiment begin, and what was the setting?

Dr. Milton Rh's experiment began in 1959 at the Ionia State Hospital in Michigan, where he gathered three patients who each believed they were Jesus.

What were the names and characteristics of the three patients involved in Dr. Milton Rh's experiment?

The patients were Joseph Castle, a 58-year-old who was the calmest and most coherent; Clyde Benson, a 70-year-old; and Leon, a 38-year-old who claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus and had a Latin name that translates to 'Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Simple Christian.'

What was the aim of Dr. Milton Rh's experiment with the three patients who believed they were Jesus?

The aim was to understand how delusions and identities are shaped and could potentially be changed by confronting patients with similar beliefs.

What ethical issues arose from Dr. Milton Rh's experiment, and how were they addressed later?

The experiment raised ethical concerns about patient manipulation and lack of informed consent. Dr. Rh later acknowledged these issues in a 1984 preface, expressing regret for the ethical violations. This led to stricter ethical guidelines for psychiatric research, culminating in the National Research Act of 1974 in the United States.

What was the outcome of Dr. Milton Rh's experiment regarding the patients' beliefs about being Jesus?

Despite the experiment, all three patients continued to identify themselves as Jesus, showing the resilience of their delusions and beliefs.

What broader implications did the 'Three Jesus' experiment have for the field of psychiatry and psychology?

The 'Three Jesus' experiment highlighted the complexity of the brain and the importance of understanding and analyzing the problems it experiences, leading to significant discussions about the ethical conduct of research in psychiatry and psychology.

Is there a film related to the story of the 'Three Jesus' experiment, and if so, who are some of the people involved?

Yes, there is a 2020 film titled '3 Mesih' or '3 Jesus' that features characters named Peter and Richard Gear, which is based on the story and can be enjoyed by those interested in the subject.