For the purposes of the study, eight “pseudopatients” (associates of Rosenhan selected to be a group of varied and healthy individuals) attempted to gain admission to psychiatric hospitals. During psychiatric assessment they claimed to be hearing voices that were often unclear, but which seemed to pronounce the words “hollow”, “empty”, and “thud.” No other psychiatric symptoms were claimed, and apart from giving false names and employment details, further biographical details were truthfully reported. If admitted, the pseudopatients were asked to “act normally,” report that they felt fine and no longer heard voices.
All were admitted, staying for up to 52 days.
Shudder.