AP PSYCHOLOGY

ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
In David Rosenhan (1973) study, researchers were admitted as patients into mental hospitals after they falsely claimed to hear voices. This study focused on the negative effects of
A
too few mental facilities in the United States
B
lack of sufficient care in mental hospitals
C
schizophrenia
D
mental disorders’ diagnostic labels
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -The study concluded “it is clear that we cannot distinguish the sane from the insane in psychiatric hospitals” and also illustrated the dangers of dehumanization and labeling in psychiatric institutions.

Detailed explanation-2: -The pseudopatients eventually left all hospitals against medical advice with their diagnoses “in remission.” “[W]e have known for a long time that diagnoses are often not useful or reliable, but we have nevertheless continued to use them. We now know that we cannot distinguish insanity from sanity, ” Rosenhan concluded.

Detailed explanation-3: -Still, Rosenhan’s conclusions were stark: People feigning mental illness all gained admission to psychiatric units and, after they stopped faking symptoms, remained there for lengthy periods. He famously wrote, “It is clear that we cannot distinguish the sane from the insane in psychiatric hospitals."

Detailed explanation-4: -Rosenhan concluded that we cannot reliably distinguish the sane from the insane, and that hospitalisation and labelling can lead to depersonalisation, powerlessness and segregation which are counter-therapeutic.

There is 1 question to complete.