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Three Alternatives to the Double-Bind

Three Alternatives to the Double-Bind Abstract THE double-blind technique is only one way of dealing with bias in drug studies. Three other approaches that can validly be used are herein described and evaluated. "Bias" as an experimental design concept may be defined simply as any cause, factor, variable, or suspected variable which could conceivably make the conclusions from an experiment invalid or render them ambiguous. More specifically, if a factor can affect one group or one condition in an unknown way it can be considered a source of bias. From this point of view, biases may enter into an experiment in many different ways. For example, if two groups of depressed patients are being compared in terms of response to two drugs, and one is a group of clinic patients and the other is a group of private patients, then any differences in reaction could be related to several factors. These include such variables as patients' References 1. Rcsenthal, R.: Experimenter Outcome-Orientation and the Results of the Psychological Experiment , Psychol Bull 61:405-412 ( (June) ) 1964.Crossref 2. Fieve, R.R.; Platman, S.R.; and Plutchik, R.: The Use of Lithium in Affective Disorders: I. Acute Endogenous Depression , Amer J Psychiat 125:487491 ( (Oct) ) 1968. 3. Fieve, R.R.; Platman, S.R.; and Plutchik, R.: The Use of Lithium in Affective Disorders: II. Prophylaxis of Depression in Chronic Recurrent Affective Disorder , Amer J Psychiat 125:492-498 ( (Oct) ) 1968. 4. Cromie, B.W.: The Feet of Clay of the Double-Blind Trial , Lancet 2:994-997 ( (Nov 9) ) 1963.Crossref 5. Brunswik, E.: Perception and Representative Design of Psychological Experiments , Berkeley, Calif: University of California Press, 1956. 6. Beck, A.T.: Depression: Clinical, Experimental and Theoretical Aspects , New York: Harper & Row Publishers, Inc., 1967. 7. Plutchik, R.: Foundations of Experimental Research , New York: Harper and Row, 1963. 8. Shapiro, A.P.: Influence of Emotional Variables in Evaluation of Hypotensive Agents , Psychosom Med 17:291-305, 1955.Crossref http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of General Psychiatry American Medical Association

Three Alternatives to the Double-Bind

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References (8)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1969 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0003-990X
eISSN
1598-3636
DOI
10.1001/archpsyc.1969.01740160044007
Publisher site
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Abstract

Abstract THE double-blind technique is only one way of dealing with bias in drug studies. Three other approaches that can validly be used are herein described and evaluated. "Bias" as an experimental design concept may be defined simply as any cause, factor, variable, or suspected variable which could conceivably make the conclusions from an experiment invalid or render them ambiguous. More specifically, if a factor can affect one group or one condition in an unknown way it can be considered a source of bias. From this point of view, biases may enter into an experiment in many different ways. For example, if two groups of depressed patients are being compared in terms of response to two drugs, and one is a group of clinic patients and the other is a group of private patients, then any differences in reaction could be related to several factors. These include such variables as patients' References 1. Rcsenthal, R.: Experimenter Outcome-Orientation and the Results of the Psychological Experiment , Psychol Bull 61:405-412 ( (June) ) 1964.Crossref 2. Fieve, R.R.; Platman, S.R.; and Plutchik, R.: The Use of Lithium in Affective Disorders: I. Acute Endogenous Depression , Amer J Psychiat 125:487491 ( (Oct) ) 1968. 3. Fieve, R.R.; Platman, S.R.; and Plutchik, R.: The Use of Lithium in Affective Disorders: II. Prophylaxis of Depression in Chronic Recurrent Affective Disorder , Amer J Psychiat 125:492-498 ( (Oct) ) 1968. 4. Cromie, B.W.: The Feet of Clay of the Double-Blind Trial , Lancet 2:994-997 ( (Nov 9) ) 1963.Crossref 5. Brunswik, E.: Perception and Representative Design of Psychological Experiments , Berkeley, Calif: University of California Press, 1956. 6. Beck, A.T.: Depression: Clinical, Experimental and Theoretical Aspects , New York: Harper & Row Publishers, Inc., 1967. 7. Plutchik, R.: Foundations of Experimental Research , New York: Harper and Row, 1963. 8. Shapiro, A.P.: Influence of Emotional Variables in Evaluation of Hypotensive Agents , Psychosom Med 17:291-305, 1955.Crossref

Journal

Archives of General Psychiatry – American Medical Association

Published: Apr 1, 1969

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