Frederick Redlich
Encyclopedia
Frederick Carl Redlich ( June 2, 1910 - January 1, 2004) was a psychiatrist
and academic administrator. He was dean of the Yale
School of Medicine
from 1967 to 1972.
Redlich was born in Vienna
, the son of Ludwig and Emma Redlich, and received his M.D.
in 1935 from the University of Vienna
. He moved to the United States
in 1938 with his wife Elsa (they divorced in 1953) and became a U.S. citizen in 1943.
He joined the faculty of Yale in 1942. In addition to his time as dean of the School of Medicine, Redlich was head of the department of psychiatry
from 1950 to 1967.
He was a member of the Institute of Medicine
and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
. He was honored with Distinguished Service Awards from the American College of Psychiatrists
and the American Psychiatric Association
.
Redlich is best known within the field of Community Mental Health for his groundbreaking study done in the late 1950s with psychologist August Hollingshead. In the study, Social Class and Mental Illness the two researched the mentally ill population of New Haven, Connecticut and the treatment they received within a calendar year.
Two aspects of the study have contributed to its historical significance. First, was the large, almost complete sample of all people from New Haven who sought psychiatric treatment in that year. This was achieved by identifying and communicating with psychiatric practitioners throughout the eastern United States as well as within New Haven.
The second aspect of the study was its definition of social class by income level with the designation of five social classes using the roman numerals I though V (V being the poorest). This system of class designation is still utilized in current social science research.
The outcome of the study demonstrated that the majority of people in the upper two social classes received insight or talking therapy which was non-bodily intrusive and took place in private settings. The majority of the lowest social class received their treatment in public institutions. Their treatment consisted primarily of constraint and intrusive methods ( such as cold packs, electroshock, and lobotomies). The conclusions of their study were that social class plays a significant role in psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, with the upper social classes receiving less intrusive therapy.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
and academic administrator. He was dean of the Yale
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
School of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
The Yale School of Medicine at Yale University is a private medical school located in New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. It was founded in 1810 as The Medical Institution of Yale College, and formally opened its doors in 1813....
from 1967 to 1972.
Redlich was born in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, the son of Ludwig and Emma Redlich, and received his M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
in 1935 from the University of Vienna
University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is a public university located in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world...
. He moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1938 with his wife Elsa (they divorced in 1953) and became a U.S. citizen in 1943.
He joined the faculty of Yale in 1942. In addition to his time as dean of the School of Medicine, Redlich was head of the department of psychiatry
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
from 1950 to 1967.
He was a member of the Institute of Medicine
Institute of Medicine
The Institute of Medicine is a not-for-profit, non-governmental American organization founded in 1970, under the congressional charter of the National Academy of Sciences...
and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
. He was honored with Distinguished Service Awards from the American College of Psychiatrists
American College of Psychiatrists
The American College of Psychiatrists is an association of psychiatrists based in Chicago. It operates annual meetings, publishes a newsletter, presents awards, and organizes the PRITE exam for psychiatric residents and the PIPE exam for practicing psychiatrists...
and the American Psychiatric Association
American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association is the main professional organization of psychiatrists and trainee psychiatrists in the United States, and the most influential worldwide. Its some 38,000 members are mainly American but some are international...
.
Redlich is best known within the field of Community Mental Health for his groundbreaking study done in the late 1950s with psychologist August Hollingshead. In the study, Social Class and Mental Illness the two researched the mentally ill population of New Haven, Connecticut and the treatment they received within a calendar year.
Two aspects of the study have contributed to its historical significance. First, was the large, almost complete sample of all people from New Haven who sought psychiatric treatment in that year. This was achieved by identifying and communicating with psychiatric practitioners throughout the eastern United States as well as within New Haven.
The second aspect of the study was its definition of social class by income level with the designation of five social classes using the roman numerals I though V (V being the poorest). This system of class designation is still utilized in current social science research.
The outcome of the study demonstrated that the majority of people in the upper two social classes received insight or talking therapy which was non-bodily intrusive and took place in private settings. The majority of the lowest social class received their treatment in public institutions. Their treatment consisted primarily of constraint and intrusive methods ( such as cold packs, electroshock, and lobotomies). The conclusions of their study were that social class plays a significant role in psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, with the upper social classes receiving less intrusive therapy.