Rosenhan 1973

Question 1

What was the aim of the first study?

Answer 1

investigate validity and reliability of diagnosing mental illnesses

Question 2

What 2 research methods were used in the first study?

Answer 2

field experiment

participant observation

Question 3

What sample was used in the first study?

Answer 3

doctors and nurses at 12 hospitals

Question 4

What was the IV in the first study?

Answer 4

made up symptoms of the pseudo patients

Question 5

What were the 2 DV’s in the first study?

Answer 5

whether they were admitted

what diagnosis were they given

Question 6

What were the four main parts of the procedure for the first study?

Answer 6

• > arranged appointment claiming to hear “empty, hollow, thud”
• > didnt change their history, behaviour or circumstances
• > stopped all symptoms when in the hospital, followed all instructions and said they wanted to leave
• > recorded staff behaviour whilst in the hospital

Question 7

What 2 main results did they find in the first study?

Answer 7

• > normal behaviour such as note taking was seen as abnormal by the hospital staff
• > only 11% of the staff time was spent with patients

Question 8

What 2 conclusions were found in the first study?

Answer 8

• > diagnosis consistent but was not accurate

- > labels they were given stuck with them as they were diagnosed as “in remission” when they were released

Question 9

What was the aim of the second study?

Answer 9

see if hospitals who were told fake patients were being sent, could tell the difference between the sane and insane

Question 10

What research method was used in the second study?

Answer 10

field experiment

Question 11

What sample was used in the second study?

Answer 11

hospital staff at teaching and psychiatric hospital

Question 12

What are the 3 main points of the procedure used in the second study?

Answer 12

• > the hospital challenged him to send more and he said there would be one or more in the next 3 months
• > this was false information
• > rated the likelihood of them being sane from 1-10 for each patient admitted in that 3 months

Question 13

What 3 main results were found in the second study?

Answer 13

• > rated sane by at least 2 staff members=41/193
• > at least one psychiatrist rated insane=23/193
• > psychiatrist and one other=19/193

Question 14

What are the 2 main conclusions from the second study?

Answer 14

• > unable to detect insanity

- > hospitals cant make valid diagnoses of mental disorders