Case Studies

Question 1

Define a case study

Answer 1

-In depth investigation, description + analysis of single individual/group or institution/event (London riots)
-usually longitudinal + may involve data of family/friends of concerned individual

Question 2

What can case studies produce that groups may not be able to?

Answer 2

Rich data - qualitative app

Question 3

What approach do case studies take? (Issues + debates)
E.g?

Answer 3

Idiographic approach
But can also lead to general theories about normal functioning (nomo aim) (HM case study led to application to all)

Question 4

What is the Bystander effect?

Answer 4

Occurs when presence of others discourages an individual from intervening in an emergency situation
Latane + Darley (Genoese murder New York)

Question 5

What are some strengths of case studies?

Answer 5

-generate rich/detailed insight that may shed light on untypical behaviours as cannot be studied using ther methods
-can also contribute to understanding of ‘norm’ functioning (HM was sig as demonstrated ‘norm’ memory processing - sep stm + ltm stores)
-can generate further hyp for future study

Question 6

Limitations of case studies?

Answer 6

-generalisation is an issue as dealing with such small samples
-subjective interpretation - personal bias due to spending long time individual being studied
-cannot establish cause + effect
-personal accounts from fam + friends r prone to inaccuracy + mem decay impacting validity f case study(bowlbys 44 thieves)