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How does the institution keep people insane? How does McMurphy help people become sane?

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User Kevlarr
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1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The dynamics in Ken Kesey's novel and institutional forces can influence mental health, while the character McMurphy represents a force for regaining autonomy and sanity outside of total institutions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question seems to reference the dynamics within an institution that may impact mental health, as seen in Ken Kesey's novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, where the institution keeps individuals in a state of subservience and dependency, which may be interpreted as a form of 'insanity'.

In contrast, the character McMurphy works to help the other characters reclaim their sense of self and autonomy, thus aiding them in regaining their 'sanity'. This is an illustration of resocialization, which can be achieved within various structures, not solely through total institutions.

Resocialization can also occur through community programs, therapy, and other societal interactions, without the need for the control found in total institutions such as prisons or asylums. The Stanford prison experiment, Goffman's work on asylums, and historical reforms in mental health care are key examples in understanding the effects of institutionalization on mental health.

answered
User PastorPL
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9.0k points
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