Who’s Dangerous? an Examination of Psychotic Behavior and Differential Psychiatric Conditions on Perceptions of Mentally Ill Persons

Participants read one of eight scenarios varying in illness (schizophrenia vs. substance-induced psychotic disorder vs. medically-induced psychotic disorder vs. no label/control) and psychosis frequency (many vs. few vs. none). Individuals with substance-induced psychosis were rated most dangerous and responsible. Implications for police confronting mentally ill persons are discussed.