Rosenhan (1973) On being sane in insane places

Question 1

Background research by Beck et. al. (1962)

Answer 1

The agreement on diagnosis for 153 patients (each patient assessed by two psychiatrists from a group of four) was 54%. This was due to vague criteria and the inconsistent ways data was gathered.

Question 2

Background research by Cooper et. al. (1972)

Answer 2

New York psychiatrists were twice as likely to diagnose schizophrenia than London psychiatrists, who were twice as likely to diagnose depression, after watching the same clinical interviews.

Question 3

What are one of the questions the pseudo patients asked staff?

Answer 3

“When am I likely to be discharged?”

Question 4

What was the time range the pseudo patients stayed at the hospitals?

Answer 4

8 to 52 days

Question 5

What were the 7 pseudo patients discharged with?

Answer 5

Schizophrenia in remission

Question 6

How many real patients detected the pseudo patients?

Answer 6

35/118 patients

Question 7

How many pills were handed to the pseudo patients?

Answer 7

2100 (2 were taken)

Question 8

How did the patients experience powerlesness?

Answer 8

Their movements were restricted and watched, their rooms and properties were examined and entered by staff without warning, some toilets had no doors, some patients experienced serious physical abuse

Question 9

How did patients experience depersonalisation?

Answer 9

Virtually no contact time with staff, staff never aknowledged them, one nurse adjusted her bra in front of patients, patients were shown no support

Question 10

What was the effect of labelling on interpretation of the patients behaviour?

Answer 10

If someone was labelled insane, their behaviour they exhibit were perceived in a different way because the label distorts the interpretation of even normal behaviours.

Question 11

On arrival to admissions, what did the pseudo patients say they heard?

Answer 11

An unclear voice, of the same sex, saying “empty”, “hollow”, “thud”.

Question 12

What percentage of faculty members responded to the female student?

Answer 12

100%

Question 13

What percentage of staff members respond when the female student asked where she could find a psychiatrist?

Answer 13

78%

Question 14

What percentage of nurses ignored the pseudo patients?

Answer 14

0.5%

Question 15

What percentage of psychiatrists responded to the pseudo patients?

Answer 15

4%

Question 16

Conclusion for the environment of hospitals

Answer 16

Hospitals are environments where the interpretation for behaviour is distorted and the treatment patients experience perpetuate their problems rather than providing a kind environment to support them