Premium
Involuntary hospitalization: The social construction of danger
Author(s) -
Albers Dale A.,
Pasewark Richard A.,
Smith Ted C.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1007/bf00881934
Subject(s) - citation , library science , insanity , sociology , history , psychology , media studies , psychiatry , computer science
Petitions for 50 consecutive patients committed involuntarily to a western state hospital were examined to determine whether statements supporting such commitment reflected explicit or residual rule-breaking behaviors. In 46 cases, involuntary hospitalization was based upon residual rule breaking. Additionally, in only 5 cases did the petitioner perceive the patient as dangerous, while in all 50 cases, the two examining physicians certified him to be such. Results are discussed in the context of the psychiatrist's personality characteristics and his role as a social control agent.