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You will have learned about the classic study by Rosenhan (1973) - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 3 - 2022 - Paper 2
Question 3
You will have learned about the classic study by Rosenhan (1973). (a) Describe the results of Rosenhan (1973). (b) Explain one strength of Rosenhan (1973). (c) Ex... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:You will have learned about the classic study by Rosenhan (1973) - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 3 - 2022 - Paper 2
Step 1
Describe the results of Rosenhan (1973)
Answer
Rosenhan's study found that 11 out of the 12 hospitals admitted pseudopatients who claimed to have symptoms of schizophrenia. The average length of stay for these pseudopatients was about 19 days, with durations ranging from 7 to 52 days. Notably, the pseudopatients’ writing behavior was often interpreted as part of their supposed pathological conditions by the nursing staff. In the second part of the study, 41 patients were falsely identified as pseudopatients by at least one hospital staff member, illustrating the challenges in correctly diagnosing mental health conditions.
Step 2
Explain one strength of Rosenhan (1973)
Answer
One significant strength of Rosenhan's study is that it utilized quantitative data concerning the number of days spent in the hospital. This data allows for an objective comparison with other similar studies and enhances the reliability of future research on these findings, enabling further evaluation of the mental health diagnostic processes.
Step 3
Explain one improvement that could be made to Rosenhan (1973)
Answer
One potential improvement to Rosenhan's study would involve using a wider range of hospitals across the entire United States, rather than focusing solely on the east and west coast. This approach would enhance the representativeness of the results, providing insights into how various mental institutions across the country treat patients, which could lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the psychiatric evaluation process.