Rosenhan's Study on Psychiatric Diagnoses

These flashcards cover the key concepts, findings, and implications of Rosenhan's 1973 study on psychiatric diagnoses.

What was the primary aim of Rosenhan's 1973 study?

To investigate the validity and reliability of psychiatric diagnoses.

What type of research design was used in Rosenhan's study?

Field Experiment.

How many participants acted as pseudopatients in the study?

8 participants.

What symptoms did the pseudopatients feign to gain admission into psychiatric hospitals?

They pretended to hear voices such as 'empty,' 'hollow,' and 'thud'.

What was the average length of stay for pseudopatients in the psychiatric hospitals?

19 days.

What significant finding was revealed regarding misdiagnosis in Rosenhan's study?

Out of 8 pseudopatients, 7 were diagnosed with schizophrenia.

How did pseudopatients’ normal behaviors affect their treatment by psychiatric staff?

Their normal behaviors were often interpreted as signs of mental illness.

What was the outcome of Rosenhan's follow-up study regarding the identification of pseudopatients?

41 real patients were misidentified as pseudopatients.

What implication did the study have regarding psychiatric labeling?

It highlighted dangers of over-diagnosis and stigmatization associated with psychiatric labels.

What ethical concerns were raised by Rosenhan's study?

The use of deception to gain entry into psychiatric facilities.

How did Rosenhan's study contribute to psychiatric reform?

It led to critiques of psychiatric diagnosis and calls for more reliable diagnostic criteria.

What is one major strength of Rosenhan's study?

High ecological validity due to real-world setting.

What is one weakness of Rosenhan's study?

Sample bias, as it involved a small group and specific hospitals.

What is the significance of labeling theory demonstrated in the study?

It shows how diagnostic labels can shape treatment and perception.

What conclusion can be drawn from Rosenhan's study regarding psychiatric diagnosis?

It revealed significant flaws in the psychiatric diagnostic system.