Rosenhan et al (1973)

• Rosenhan's aim was to test the validity and reliability of diagnosis, specifically DSM, in practical use.
• Rosenhan questioned "can the sane be distinguished between the insane?"
• The experiment involved 8 confidants who were all psychologists or psychiatrists.
• Participants went into hospitals pretending they had auditory hallucinations (hearing voices). They would then report back on their experiences.
• The pseudo-patients admitted themselves saying hearing a voice saying "empty", "thud" and "hollow".
• All participants were diagnosed with schizophrenia except one who was diagnosed as manic depressive.
• Rosenhan's study was conducted in 1973
• Results: No staff questioned the sanity of the confederates, but some patients did asking "are you a reporter?".
• The average stay of the pseudo patients was 19 days (7-52 days)
• all patients experienced depersonalisation of patients by staff, 71% were ignored.
• Rosenhan concluded the DSM was reliable as all but one received the same diagnosis.
• Rosenhan concluded that it was not valid because the confederates didn't actually have schizophrenia.