Rosenhan Psychiatry

Psychiatry is known for its ability to determine and diagnose if a person is suitable for society (Slater 63). David Rosenhan decided in the early 1970s to test the ability psychiatrists have to determine the “sane” from the “insane” (Slater 63). He believed that a psychiatrist should not have the power to determine whether a parent is fit to raise a child or if a prisoner can be reformed (Slater 63). In conclusion Rosenhan devised an experiment that would test whether or not psychiatrist’s skills are equal to their power (Slater 63). Rosenhan gathered eight of his friends to go into an asylum and pretend that they were insane. The main goal was to see if the psychiatrists could detect that they are sane or if their judgement is clouded because …show more content…
Rosenhan’s experiment in particular was very enlightening because he not only theorized psychiatry was ridiculous, but actually has hard evidence proving that psychiatry does not have firm facts to back up the diagnosis given by the doctor. Writing about this experiment, it wasn’t only Rosenhan who took part in it, but eight other people I would have assumed that Slater would have been able to get some insight about the experiment from at least one of the other eight participants. Also the detail Slater infused within this chapter was fairly decent, but I believe that she could have included more detail about what happened in the asylum or by painting a clearer picture for the reader of what an insane asylum was like back in 1970. Also I feel as if she should have described in more detail as to why Rosenhan was conducting this experiment, and what his motifs were for proving psychiatry was ridiculous. Furthermore I also believe that Slater should have included why Rosenhan’s work is still hated even after forty-years (Slater 67). Because like anyone passionate about their work Rosenhan was willing to put his body on the line to obtain knowledge for his cause. Knowing that Rosenhan is willing to do whatever it takes I don’t understand fully as to why his work is hated. I feel as if his work exposed the flaws that were deeply hidden within the practice of psychiatry, and he brought awareness to the public. He made the public aware of how inhumane and severe asylums are and that psychiatry is sick itself (Slater 69). But bringing awareness to the public was not Slaters motif for repeating this experiment, her reasoning was to only see if this kind of experiment was still capable or