Jesenia Romero Latrina Williams 6 th /Mental Health 1/19/10 Ms.Starnes

 A psychologist by training, David Rosenhan is a leading expert on psychology and the law.  Pioneer in the application of psychological methods to the practice of trial law process, including jury selection and jury consultation.  Professor Rosenhan is the author of one of the most widely read articles in the field of psychology, “On Being Sane in Insane Places.”  In 1951, he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Yeshiva University. At Columbia University in 1953, he earned his Master’s Degree, and 5 years later his PhD in psychology.  Joined the Stanford Law School faculty in  A member of the faculties of Swarthmore College, Princeton University, and Haverford College.  Also been a research psychologist at Educational Testing Service and a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania.  Professor of Law and Psychology at Stanford University and strong interest in legal definition of insanity.  He is still living today.

 His theory was people with mental disorder- characteristic of schizophrenia. Rosenhan’s study consisted of 2 parts:  The first involved the use of healthy associates or pseudo- patients’, who briefly simulated auditory hallucinations in an attempt to gain to 12 different psychiatric hospitals in 5 different states in various locations in U.S.  In the first case, hospital staff failed to detect a single pseudo- patient.  The second involved asking staff at a psychiatric hospital to detect non existent “fake patients”.  In the second, the staff falsely detected large numbers of genuine patients as imposters.  The study is considered an important and influential criticism of psychiatric diagnosis.

 Seven main features:  Suffering  Maladaptiveness  Vividness and unconventionality  Unpredictability and loss of control  Irrationality and incomprehensibility  Observer discomfort  Violation of moral and ideal standards

 Some people did not approve because they thought Rosenhan’s conclusion was unfair.  Overall, the theory was accepted because the study made the important point that mental-health professionals are human, just like the rest of us, and also make mistakes. They can be fooled or misled and so can we.

 Even if we were not able to find about his personal life and important details. We notice that Mr. Rosenhan was determined to prove others wrong when he noticed something was incorrect.

 esources/rosenhan1.htm esources/rosenhan1.htm  le/52/David%20Rosenhan/ le/52/David%20Rosenhan/  Can we really know who has a Mental Disorder? ARE YOU INSANE?