Rosenhan 1972

Question 1

aim

Answer 1

Testing the validity of psychiatric diagnoses and investing the effects of medical labelling

Question 2

sample

Answer 2

Staff and patients in 12 psychiatric hospitals in the United States, in 5 different states in the east and west cost of the country (some of the pseudopatients applied to be admitted in more than 1 hospital)

Question 3

procedure

Answer 3

The researchers set up an appointment under a false name, occupation, employment

During which they complained about hearing unfamiliar odd voices from someone of their own sex, which seemed to say “empty”, “hollow”, “thud”

Once admitted (all with schizophrenia apart from one with a manic-depressive psychosis), the participants stopped showing any signs of psychiatric symptoms

The participants engaged normally with the staff and other patients, when asked by the staff, they indicate they feel fine and all no longer experienced the symptoms, they disposed of their prescribed medications. They each took a notepad and oen to record what thet heard and saw (unstructured observation), the idea was to do it covertly however if they got caught by the staff, they carried on overtly)

Question 4

results

Answer 4

All but one were released with a diagnosis of “schizophrenia in remission,” and one with a diagnosis of “manic depressive psychosis.” The length of stay ranged from 7 to 52 days, with an average of 19 days.

Question 5

conclusion

Answer 5

Once the initial diagnosis was made, the label of the disorder remained, in spite of the pseudo patients showing no signs of abnormality,

Question 6

limitations

Answer 6

Unethical (no consent from the staff and other patients at the hospital) (however he did protext confidentiality) n

Lack of ecological validity (because the “patients’ were faking unreal mental conditions, it doesn’t tell us enough abt how people with actual mental conditions are diagnosed)

Low generalisability (due to a limited sample size)

Sick role bias

Question 7

why is consent important

Answer 7

Informed consent is an essential ethical consideration in psychology research. It allows participants to understand the purpose of a study and the procedures that will be involved. It also ensures that they recognize both the potential benefits and risks, and are able to make an informed decision based on that informatio

Question 8

strengths

Answer 8

Played a huge role in the improvement of conditions in psych wards