Rosenhan, D.L. (1973)
On being sane in insane places. Science, 179. 250-58
The AIM of this study was to test the reliability and validity of psychiatric diagnosis and to illustrate the negative effects of being diagnosed (labelled) as abnormal and institutionalised. This study also addresses questions about attributions: do we make judgements about other people based on their personality characteristics (dispositional /internal attributions) or on environmental factors (situational /external attributions).
There are two distinct parts to this study: In the first part of the study, eight sane people sought admission to 12 different hospitals in five different American states. They are referred to as ‘pseudopatients’ in the study. (Note that the pseudopatients are the participants in this ‘participant observation’ study although it would also be correct to regard the hospitals (and hospital staff) as the subjects of this research.)
What information did the pseudopatients give the psychiatrists?
What diagnosis were they given?
Once admitted, how did the pseudopatients behave?
How long were the pseudopatients in hospital for?
Give TWO examples of how staff interpreted the behaviour of the pseudopatients.
1.
2.
How did the real patients interpret the behaviour of the pseudopatients?
As part of this study, the participants carried out an observation of the behaviour of staff towards patients and the amount of time staff spent with patients.
Summarise what they found in the following table:
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Responses to requests made to psychiatrists |
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Responses to requests made to nurses and attendants |
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Amount of time spent with psychologists, psychiatrists etc |
What observations did the pseudopatients make relating to medication given to other patients?
Rosenhan comments that the major experiences of the pseudopatients was one of ‘powerlessness’ and ‘depersonalisation’. Explain what he means.
The second part of the study involved another large teaching and research hospital. Staff involved had been informed about the first study and were told that over a three month period some pseudopatients would attempt to gain admission to the hospital.
What did the staff members have to do?
What were the results from this study?
How many pseudopatients did Rosenhan send to the hospital over the three month period?
Write a short summary outlining the conclusions that can be drawn from both parts of this study. Use the terms ‘labelling’ and ‘expectations’ in your summary.