David Shakow and schizophrenia research at Worcester State Hospital: The roots of the scientist-practitioner model

✍ Scribed by Robin L. Cautin

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 156 KB
• Volume: 44
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-5061
• DOI: 10.1002/jhbs.20312

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

As Chief Psychologist and Director of Psychological Research at Worcester State Hospital (WSH), David Shakow (1901–1981) made substantial contributions to the scientific study of schizophrenia and by extension to the study of psychopathology in general. His methodological innovations—particularly on issues of diagnosis and conditions of testing—set a new standard for experimental rigor in the field. Shakow helped to establish many of what are considered basic facts about schizophrenia. His empirical work at WSH—specifically on the crossover effect—provided the scientific foundation for his theory of schizophrenic cognition, known as segmental set. Moreover, Shakow's schizophrenia work informed his developing ideas on the synergy between clinical practice and research. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.