7.1: Case studies

Question 1

Case studies

Answer 1

Case studies are in-depth, detailed investigations of:
1. One individual
Or,
2. A small group

Question 2

Case studies are in-depth, detailed investigations of one individual or a small group.
They usually include what?

Answer 2

Case studies usually include:

1. Biographical details
2. Behavioural information
3. Experiences of interest

Question 3

Case studies allow researchers to do what?

Answer 3

Case studies allow researchers to examine individuals in great depth

Question 4

Case studies allow researchers to examine individuals in great depth.
Explanations of behaviour are outlined how?

Answer 4

Explanations of behaviour are outlined in subjective ways

Question 5

Case studies allow researchers to examine individuals in great depth.
Explanations of behaviour are outlined in subjective ways, describing what?

Answer 5

Explanations of behaviour are outlined in subjective ways, describing what an individual:
1. Feels
Or,
2. Believes
about particular issues

Question 6

Case studies allow researchers to examine individuals in great depth.
Explanations of behaviour are outlined in subjective ways, describing what an individual feels or believes about particular issues.
Example

Answer 6

For example, Koluchova’s (1972) ‘Czech twins’ study

Question 7

Advantages of case studies:

1. Rich what?

Answer 7

An advantage of case studies is that they provide rich detail

Question 8

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great what about individuals?

Answer 8

Case studies provide great:
1. Depth
2. Understanding
about individuals

Question 9

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge what?

Answer 9

Case studies:

1. Provide great depth and understanding about individuals
2. Acknowledge human diversity

Question 10

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity.
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have what about them?

Answer 10

Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them

Question 11

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity.
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them.
Information relates to what?

Answer 11

Information relates to a real person

Question 12

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity.
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them.
Information relates to a real person, not what?

Answer 12

Information relates to a real person, not an average gathered from many

Question 13

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity.
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them.
Information relates to a real person, not an average gathered from many.
2. The only what to use?

Answer 13

An advantage of case studies is that they are the only possible method to use

Question 14

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity.
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them.
Information relates to a real person, not an average gathered from many.
2. The only possible method to use.
Case studies allow psychologists to study what that could not have been studied any other way?

Answer 14

Case studies allow psychologists to study unique:
1. Behaviours
Or,
2. Experiences
that could not have been studied any other way

Question 15

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity.
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them.
Information relates to a real person, not an average gathered from many.
2. The only possible method to use.
Case studies allow psychologists to study unique behaviours or experiences that could not have been studied any other way.
The method also allows what to be explored?

Answer 15

The method also allows ‘sensitive’ areas to be explored

Question 16

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity.
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them.
Information relates to a real person, not an average gathered from many.
2. The only possible method to use.
Case studies allow psychologists to study unique behaviours or experiences that could not have been studied any other way.
The method also allows ‘sensitive’ areas to be explored, where other methods would be what?

Answer 16

The method also allows ‘sensitive’ areas to be explored, where other methods would be unethical

Question 17

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity.
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them.
Information relates to a real person, not an average gathered from many.
2. The only possible method to use.
Case studies allow psychologists to study unique behaviours or experiences that could not have been studied any other way.
The method also allows ‘sensitive’ areas to be explored, where other methods would be unethical, like what?

Answer 17

The method also allows ‘sensitive’ areas to be explored, where other methods would be unethical, like the effects of sexual abuse

Question 18

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity.
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them.
Information relates to a real person, not an average gathered from many.
2. The only possible method to use.
Case studies allow psychologists to study unique behaviours or experiences that could not have been studied any other way.
The method also allows ‘sensitive’ areas to be explored, where other methods would be unethical, like the effects of sexual abuse.
3. Useful for what?

Answer 18

An advantage of case studies is that they are useful for theory contradiction

Question 19

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity.
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them.
Information relates to a real person, not an average gathered from many.
2. The only possible method to use.
Case studies allow psychologists to study unique behaviours or experiences that could not have been studied any other way.
The method also allows ‘sensitive’ areas to be explored, where other methods would be unethical, like the effects of sexual abuse.
3. Useful for theory contradiction.
Just one case study can do what?

Answer 19

Just one case study can contradict a theory

Question 20

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity.
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them.
Information relates to a real person, not an average gathered from many.
2. The only possible method to use.
Case studies allow psychologists to study unique behaviours or experiences that could not have been studied any other way.
The method also allows ‘sensitive’ areas to be explored, where other methods would be unethical, like the effects of sexual abuse.
3. Useful for theory contradiction.
Just one case study can contradict a theory.
Who reported on the case study of Genie?

Answer 20

Curtis (1977) reported on the case study of Genie

Question 21

Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity.
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them.
Information relates to a real person, not an average gathered from many.
2. The only possible method to use.
Case studies allow psychologists to study unique behaviours or experiences that could not have been studied any other way.
The method also allows ‘sensitive’ areas to be explored, where other methods would be unethical, like the effects of sexual abuse.
3. Useful for theory contradiction.
Just one case study can contradict a theory.
Curtis (1977) reported on the case study of Genie, which helped to do what?

Answer 21

Curtis (1977) reported on the case study of Genie, which helped to question evidence regarding critical stages of language development

Question 22

Who can provide fascinating material for case studies?

Answer 22

Twins can provide fascinating material for case studies

Question 23

Weaknesses of case studies:

1. Not what?

Answer 23

A weakness of case studies is that they are not representative

Question 24

Weaknesses of case studies:
1. Not representative.
As no 2 case studies are alike, results cannot be what?

Answer 24

As no 2 case studies are alike, results cannot be generalised to others

Question 25

Weaknesses of case studies:
1. Not representative.
As no 2 case studies are alike, results cannot be generalised to others.
But do we always have to find what?

Answer 25

But do we always have to find universal truths of behaviour?

Question 26

Weaknesses of case studies:
1. Not representative.
As no 2 case studies are alike, results cannot be generalised to others.
But do we always have to find universal truths of behaviour?
2. Researcher what?

Answer 26

A weakness of case studies is researcher bias

Question 27

Weaknesses of case studies:
1. Not representative.
As no 2 case studies are alike, results cannot be generalised to others.
But do we always have to find universal truths of behaviour?
2. Researcher bias.
Researchers conducting case studies may be biased in what?

Answer 27

Researchers conducting case studies may be biased in their:
1. Interpretations
Or,
2. Method of reporting

Question 28

Weaknesses of case studies:
1. Not representative.
As no 2 case studies are alike, results cannot be generalised to others.
But do we always have to find universal truths of behaviour?
2. Researcher bias.
Researchers conducting case studies may be biased in their interpretations or method of reporting, making findings what?

Answer 28

Researchers conducting case studies may be biased in their:
1. Interpretations
Or,
2. Method of reporting
,making findings suspect

Question 29

Weaknesses of case studies:
1. Not representative.
As no 2 case studies are alike, results cannot be generalised to others.
But do we always have to find universal truths of behaviour?
2. Researcher bias.
Researchers conducting case studies may be biased in their interpretations or method of reporting, making findings suspect.
3. Reliance on what?

Answer 29

A weakness of case studies is reliance on memory

Question 30

Weaknesses of case studies:
1. Not representative.
As no 2 case studies are alike, results cannot be generalised to others.
But do we always have to find universal truths of behaviour?
2. Researcher bias.
Researchers conducting case studies may be biased in their interpretations or method of reporting, making findings suspect.
3. Reliance on memory.
Case studies often depend upon participants having what?

Answer 30

Case studies often depend upon participants having:
1. Full
2. Accurate
memories