This graph shows the benefits of lobotomies over articles published between 1935-1960. It is shown how there was a great start and a slow decline over the years.

Butler University

Two tests were done for both the qualitative and quantitative data to measure the perceptions of the surgeries by the public. For the qualitative evidence, authors were instructed to read past work in time blocks and review the overall themes they found. For the quantitative evidence, people were given articles and were told to rate their agreeableness on a scale of 1-5.

Measuring the Lobotomy's Presence in the Media

Gretchen J. Diefenbach, Donald Diefenbach, Alan Baumeister & Mark West (1999) Portrayal of Lobotomy in the Popular Press: 1935-1960, Journal of the History of the Neurosciences, 8:1, 60-69, DOI: 10.1076/jhin.8.1.60.1766

Reference

Measuring the Lobotomy's Presence in the Media Graphical Findings of Benefits

This graph shows how there were low numbers of negative side effects initially written during the rise of the procedure. There is a steady increase for the effects over the years. 

Measuring the Lobotomy's Presence in the Media Graphical Findings of Negative Side Effects

This graph shows a steady decline in positive article tones regarding the surgery. Over the years this shows how it begins to be a shift in the popularity regarding the media's attention towards lobotomies.

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