Case Studies Flashcards
What are case-studies?
In-depth, detailed investigations of one individual or a small group. They usually include biographical details, behavioural information and experiences of interest
What do case-studies allow psychologists to do?
Examine individuals in greater depth
Explanations of behaviour are outlined in subjective ways, describing what an individual feels or believes about particular issues
What are the strengths of case-studies?
Rich in detail - provide great depth and understanding about individuals and acknowledge human diversity. As about ‘real people’ have a feeling of truth - not an average score of many, an individual
Only possible method to do - case studies allow psychologists to study unique behaviours or experiences that would not have been studied in another way. The method allows sensitive areas to be explored where other methods would be unethical
Useful for theory contradiction - one case study can contradict a theory
What are the weaknesses of case-studies?
Not representative - as no two case-studies are alike, results cannot be generalised to others, but those who like case-studies as a method of research may argue that psychologists don’t always have to find universal truths of behaviour
Researcher bias - Researchers conducting case studies may be biased in their interpretation of methods or reporting which affects the quality of data produced
Reliance on memory - Case studies often depend upon RPS having full and accurate memories
What was the case-study Koluchova carried out?
Used a case-study to research twin boys whose biological mother died soon after their birth. Their stepmother locked them in a cellar for 5.5 years and regularly beat them. Discovered aged 7, the boys were physically underdeveloped, lacked speech and didn’t understand the meaning of pictures . Doctors predicted permanent physical and mental damage - they were adopted by two child-centred sisters and with nurturing care, overcome their underdevelopment by the age of 14. Both function normally as adults
What was Milner et al’s case study?
Carried a case-study into a patient called HM who had suffered from severe and frequent epilepsy. His seizures were based in the hippocampus - doctors surgically removed part of the brain around this area
The operation reduced the epilepsy but also led to memory loss, he could still form short-term memories but was unable to form new long-term ones - supports the idea that different types of memory are in separate systems in the brain
What was Freud’s case-study?
Studied a 5 year old boy (Little Hans) - who had a fear of horses
His parents relayed this info to Freud via letter who interpreted the boys behaviour.
Freud suggested that Hans’ fear of horses was because of their blinkers which were similar to the glasses worn by his father
Frans believed that Hans was suffering from the Oedipus complex and his fear of horses was due to jealousy and hostility he felt towards his father who Hans saw as preventing him from developing a relationship with his mother
