NCJ Number
8231
Journal
Science Volume: 179 Issue: 4070 Dated: (JANUARY 19, 1973) Pages: 250-258
Date Published
1973
Length
9 pages
Annotation
IT IS DIFFICULT TO DISTINGUISH THE SANE FROM THE INSANE IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS.
Abstract
THE HOSPITAL IMPOSES A SPECIAL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE MEANINGS OF BEHAVIOR CAN BE EASILY MISUNDERSTOOD. AN EXPERIMENT INVOLVED SENDING EIGHT SANE PEOPLE TO MENTAL HOSPITALS AS PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS. THEIR EXPERIENCES ARE REPORTED AND ATTENTION IS FOCUSED ON THE FACT THAT ONCE THE STAFF HAD LABELED A PSEUDOPATIENT, ALL HIS ACTIONS, HOWEVER NORMAL WERE INTERPRETED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THAT LABEL. (MODIFIED AUTHOR ABSTRACT)