7.1: Case studies Flashcards
Case studies
Case studies are in-depth, detailed investigations of:
1. One individual
Or,
2. A small group
Case studies are in-depth, detailed investigations of one individual or a small group.
They usually include what?
Case studies usually include:
- Biographical details
- Behavioural information
- Experiences of interest
Case studies allow researchers to do what?
Case studies allow researchers to examine individuals in great depth
Case studies allow researchers to examine individuals in great depth.
Explanations of behaviour are outlined how?
Explanations of behaviour are outlined in subjective ways
Case studies allow researchers to examine individuals in great depth.
Explanations of behaviour are outlined in subjective ways, describing what?
Explanations of behaviour are outlined in subjective ways, describing what an individual: 1. Feels Or, 2. Believes about particular issues
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
For example, Koluchova’s (1972) ‘Czech twins’ study
Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich what?
An advantage of case studies is that they provide rich detail
Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great what about individuals?
Case studies provide great:
1. Depth
2. Understanding
about individuals
Advantages of case studies:
1. Rich detail.
Case studies provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge what?
Case studies:
- Provide great depth and understanding about individuals
- Acknowledge human diversity
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?
Because case studies are about ‘real people,’ they have a feeling of truth about them
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?
Information relates to a real person
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?
Information relates to a real person, not an average gathered from many
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?
An advantage of case studies is that they are the only possible method to use
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?
Case studies allow psychologists to study unique:
1. Behaviours
Or,
2. Experiences
that could not have been studied any other way
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?
The method also allows ‘sensitive’ areas to be explored
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?
The method also allows ‘sensitive’ areas to be explored, where other methods would be unethical
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?
The method also allows ‘sensitive’ areas to be explored, where other methods would be unethical, like the effects of sexual abuse
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?
An advantage of case studies is that they are useful for theory contradiction
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?
Just one case study can contradict a theory
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?
Curtis (1977) reported on the case study of Genie
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?
Curtis (1977) reported on the case study of Genie, which helped to question evidence regarding critical stages of language development
Who can provide fascinating material for case studies?
Twins can provide fascinating material for case studies
Weaknesses of case studies:
1. Not what?
A weakness of case studies is that they are not representative
Weaknesses of case studies:
1. Not representative.
As no 2 case studies are alike, results cannot be what?
As no 2 case studies are alike, results cannot be generalised to others
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?
But do we always have to find universal truths of behaviour?
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?
A weakness of case studies is researcher bias
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?
Researchers conducting case studies may be biased in their:
1. Interpretations
Or,
2. Method of reporting
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?
Researchers conducting case studies may be biased in their: 1. Interpretations Or, 2. Method of reporting ,making findings suspect
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?
A weakness of case studies is reliance on memory
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?
Case studies often depend upon participants having:
1. Full
2. Accurate
memories
