methodology

Question 1

AO1 case studies

Answer 1

• explores one event, group of people or individual
• in depth data collected
• useful for studying rare or unusual behaviours
• can collect quantitative and qualitative data
• record of an individual’s previous experiences
• can be summarised using thematic analysis

Question 2

AO3 case studies

Answer 2

• may be difficult to generalise from individuals because they have unique characteristics and we can’t make before/after comparisons.
• recollection of past events may be unreliable because people’s memories are inaccurate
• researchers may lack objectivity as they themselves are often involved in the case
• ethical issues such as confidentiality and the ability to give informed consent are especially important for clinical case studies

Question 3

AO1 interviews

Answer 3

• semi structured follow up questions
• structure set questions
• unstructured no questions determined in advance
• open and closed questions
• qualitative and quantitative data

Question 4

AO3 interviews

Answer 4

• useful way of finding out how people think and feel in contrast to what people actually do. Can find cognitive insight which is important for diagnosis
• semi structured allow interviewer to probe deeper and therefore gain greater understanding
• may lack validity due to social desirability OR people may exaggerate their symptoms in order to get attention decreasing validity
• interpreting pp’s answers can be subjective
• psychiatrists may ask leading questions reducing validity

Question 5

aim of Laverne et al case study

Answer 5

used outpatient therapy to describe how a group can provide a firm boundary where individuals can explore their own fragile ego boundaries

Question 6

procedure points of laverne et al x4

Answer 6

• 70 pp’s fairly isolated people
• therapy group regularly met who all had vulnerability to psychosis
• coding system used so therapist could use emotions expressed
• four members were not present at the session which was focus of case study

Question 7

what is meant by ego boundaries?

Answer 7

Having a poor, less stable sense of self - they are more likely to be scared by their psychotic symptoms.

Question 8

give an example of a finding from laverne et al (Dan)

Answer 8

Dan who had been silent for the first 6 months now didn’t stop talking. He told the group of an out of body experience where he was scared he wouldn’t be able to return his spirit back to his body.

Question 9

what was the aim of Vallentine et al

Answer 9

to investigate the usefulness of psycho-educational material provided via group work for offender patients in high security psychiatric hospital

Question 9

what is the conclusion of laverne et al

Answer 9

interactions with other people threaten their fragile boundaries which means they cut off from human relationships which drives them more into isolation.

Question 10

procedure for Vallentine et al

Answer 10

• 42 male patients detained under mental health act
• using ICD-10 80% diagnosed with SZ
  -four 20 minute sessions UMI (understanding mental illness) groups were run for 3 years
• semi structured interview conducted to evaluate pp’s experience of the group
• measured using self concept questionnaire that measures self esteem

Question 11

findings of vallentine et al

Answer 11

there was no significant difference between any of the pre and post tests of the group

Question 12

conclusion of vallentine et al

Answer 12

absence of reliable changes warrants attention as does further consideration of negative changes in some patients. Qualitative analysis of interviews showed that patients did value sense of hope and empowerment provided.