Rosenhan

Question 0

Procedure

Answer 0

PART 1: 8 pseudo-patients attempted to gain admission to 12 different hospitals in 5 different states in usa. They said they heard an unfamiliar same sex voice that said “empty, hollow and thud”. They gave false name and job. After gaining admission they stopped presenting symptoms and observed the staff.

PART 2: rosenhan told staff at a large hospital that over next 3 months 1 or more pseudos would try gain admission. Each member of staff was asked to rate on a 10 point scale the likelihood of a pseudo to appear

Question 1

Background & aim

Answer 1

Aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that psychiatrists cannot reliably tell the difference between people who are sane and those who are insane. Also examines the problems associated with the diagnosis of normality and abnormality

Question 2

Results

Answer 2

PART 1: none of pseudos were detected and all but one was admitted and diagnosed with schizophrenia. They remained in hospital for 7-52 days avg; 19

PART 2: out of 193, 41 judged to be pseudo and 19 thought to be acting. HOWEVER no pseudos involved, all patients were genuine

Question 3

Conclusions & implications

Answer 3

. Demonstrates that psychiatrists cannot reliably distinguish between sane and insane
. Part 1 type 2 errors made - diagnosing healthy person as sick
. Part 2 type 1 errors made - diagnosing sick person as healthy
. Everything a patient does is interpreted in accordance with diagnostic label once applied
. Pseudo patients was one of depersonalisation and powerlessness (some deprived from their human rights)