Rosenhan

Aim: Investigate if sane could be distinguished from insane using the DSM

Procedure

• 8 Pseudo patients
• 17 hospitals
• False names and occupations
• Each said they could hear an unfamiliar voice of the same sex
• As soon as admitted - stopped displaying symptoms
• Took part in activities
• spoke to staff and patients
• wrote down observations
• said they felt fine and the symptoms had gone
• asked when they were going to be discharged

Results

• All admitted as insane
• All but one diagnosed as…