Reliability and Validity

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Rosenhan "being sane in insane places" (1975)

Study 1

Rosenhan tried to admit 8 'normal' people to 12 different psychiatric hospitals around USA with only one symptom - claiming they heard voices saying 'empty' 'hollow' and 'thud'

Results

7 were diagnosed with schizophrenia and all 8 were admitted to psychiatric hospitals. On admission they said they were sane and had faked the symptoms to get admitted. But this was seen as a symptom its self. 19 days before they were released with a diagnosis of "schizophrenia in remission" other real patients could tell they were faking it.

Study 2

Rosenhan later told staff at a psychiatric hospital that 1 or more pseudo patients (fake) were trying to be admitted.

Results

No pseudo patients appeared but 41 genuine patients were judged to be faking. Medical staff couldn't distinguish the sane from the insane - although most real patients could.

Rosenhan