VALIDITY

Question 1

Strength Kim-Cohen 2005

Answer 1

Kim-Cohen et al studied the validity of the DSM IV with regard to conduct disorder in 5 year old children and using different research methods, eg interviews with mothers, a questionnaire to teachers and comparisons with other children’s behaviour using self report data, they concluded that diagnoses were valid.

Question 2

Strength Hoffmann 2002

Answer 2

Hoffmann looked at the different diagnoses of alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence and cocaine dependence using prison inmates and the symptoms reported matched the DSM diagnosis.

Question 3

Strength Davis 2009

Answer 3

Davis showed how the 4 D’s can be used with the DSM IV, and there are standardised tests within the 4D’s to assess symptoms of many disorders and these should be used where possible as it helps the diagnosis more valid.

Question 4

Weakness Rosenhan 1973

Answer 4

Rosenhan concluded the DSM III wasn’t valid as it couldn’t tell those who did have mental disorders apart from those who didn’t. 8 ‘normal’ people were diagnosed with SZ and so the diagnosis was not valid.

Question 5

Weakness also Rosenhan 1973

Answer 5

Rosenhan showed that his pp’s could be diagnosed with SZ just by claiming the presence of one symptom. As well as this all 8 patients said they heard voices saying ‘hollow empty and thud’ yet only 7 of the 8 were diagnosed with SZ, the 8th pp was diagnosed with bipolar.

Question 6

Weakness Banister 1964

Answer 6

Banister et al studied 1000 cases and found no clear cut relationship between diagnosis and treatment which means that the predicative validity of the diagnosis in the sample was low.

Question 7

Weakness Heather 1976

Answer 7

Heather et al found there was only a 50% chance of correctly predicting the treatment a patient will receive on the basis of diagnosis.

Question 8

Weakness Co-morbidity

Answer 8

Co-morbidity is hard to diagnose using the DSM and relies on the health professional choosing the closest match from lists of symptoms and features.