David Rosenhan

David L. Rosenhan ( or /ˈroʊzn,hən/; November 22, 1929 – February 6, 2012) was an American psychologist. He is known best for the Rosenhan experiment, a study challenging the validity of psychiatry diagnoses.

Biography Rosenhan received his Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics in 1951 from Yeshiva College, his master's degree in economics in 1953 and his doctorate in psychology in 1958, both from Columbia University. He was a professor of law and of psychology at Stanford University from 1971 until his retirement in 1998, and applied psychology to such legal topics as the examination of expert witnesses, jury selection, and jury deliberation. He also served as a research psychologist for the Educational Testing Service.

Rosenhan died on February 6, 2012, at the age of 82.

Research

Rosenhan believed that there are seven main features of psychological abnormality: suffering; maladaptiveness; vividness and unconventionality; unpredictability and loss of control; irrationality and incomprehensibility; observer discomfort; and violation of moral and ideal standards.

In 1973, Rosenhan published "On Being Sane In Insane Places", which describes what is now known as the Rosenhan experiment. In this study report, Rosenhan uses "hard labeling" to argue that mental illnesses are manifested solely as a result of societal influence. The study experiments arranged for eight individuals with no history of psychopathology to attempt admission into twelve psychiatric hospitals, all with the purpose of obtaining admission with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The report describes psychiatrists then attempting to treat the individuals using psychiatric medications; all eight were described as being self-discharged within 7 to 52 days, with an average stay of 19 days, after having stated that they accepted their diagnosis. As noted by Alison Abbott in a review of the book in the journal Nature, Kenneth J. Gergen, a Stanford University colleague stated that "some people in the department called him a bullshitter", a conclusion with which Cahalan appeared to be in agreement, although, Abbott writes, "he cannot be completely certain that Rosenhan cheated. But she is confident enough to call her engrossing, dismaying book The Great Pretender."

Subsequent pseudo-patient studies similar to that of Rosenhan have had significant methodologic and other concerns.

Publications