Everything Everywhere Daily · Sunday, July 12, 2026
Questions have been raised regarding the integrity of David Rosenhan's 1973 study. Some analyses, including one reviewed in the Journal of History of Psychology, suggest that Rosenhan may have fabricated results or participants to support his experiment's agenda, potentially rendering the study fraudulent.
“Callahan believed that Rosenhan may have fabricated the other six participants to further his experiment's agenda.”
“The review of Callahan's book was later published in the Journal of History of Psychology and the review agreed with Callahan's findings and suggested that Rosenhan's experiment was fraudulent.”
“If it is indeed true that Rosenhan faked his results, it doesn't mean his conclusions are wrong.”