Clinical Classic Study - Rosenhan (1973)

If sanity and insanity exist, how shall we know them?

Aim

• To see what life was like inside a mental hospital.
• Could the sane be distinguished from the insane?
• Is the diagnosis of mental illness valid?

Procedure

• 8 pseudo-patients who had a variety of backgrounds, one was a psychology student in his 20s while the others were older and 'established' (eg a painter and a psychiatrist).  5 men and 3 women. Those who were in the mental health profession alleged another occupation to avoid special attention.
• Admission into a variety of hospitals was sought. 12 hospitals in 5 states were used on the East and West coast. Some were old, some were new, some were understaffed and one was a strict private hospital.
• Each participant called the admissions office and got an appointment. They complained that they had been hearing voices that said "empty", "thud" and "hollow" and that the voices were unfamiliar but of the same sex as the pseudo-patient.
• Once admitted to hospital the pseudo-patient stopped simulating any symptoms of abnormality and they behaved on the ward as they would 'normally' behave. They spoke to patients and staff…