David Rosenhan argues that misdiagnosis is particularly a problem for psychologists, as a diagnosis of a mental illness is as influential on the patient as it is on their relatives and friends. It should not surprise anyone that the diagnosis acts as a(n)
A) act of tertiary deviance.
B) sign of structural strain.
C) gesture of passing.
D) self-fulfilling prophecy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

David Rosenhan argues that misdiagnosis can be problematic because of the self-fulfilling prophecy effect. This is when a person starts to behave in a way that fits the diagnosis they have been given, even if they did not have the mental illness before the diagnosis. Therefore, the diagnosis becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

David Rosenhan Argues That Misdiagnosis Is Particularly a Problem for Psychologists