Methodology: Case studies

Question 1

Define ‘case studies’

Answer 1

In depth study of an individual (often this) or a group experiencing a unique event

Question 2

Features of case studies

Answer 2

1. Uusally longitudinal- takes place over long periods eg moths, years or ppts life span
   > accomodates for changes

2.Idiographic- focus on individual

3.Triangulation- mult methods of research
>intervs,observations,
questionnaires

4.Qualitative data- lang based data
> opinion, thoughts, feelings

Question 3

Strenghts of case studies

Answer 3

1.P- Idiographic
E- Means study focuses on an individual experiencing a unique event
E- S, can provide evidence for a specific psychological theory through this rare event eg Shallice and Warrington (1970)’s case of KF provided evidence for WMM

2.P-Triangulation
E-Case studies use multiple methods of research such as interviews with the individual and ones close to them, observations, and questionnaires
E-S, can provide evidence of consistency of results from study for multiple researchers to agree upon, incr validity of findings

3.P-Often longitudinal
E-Data’s measured over long periods of time eg months, years of ppts life span to accomodate for changes in individual over time
E-S, provides true representation of individual bc data’s detailed, allows psychological theories to become developed, incr validity and application of findings eg. Hm was studies for 50 years prior to his death, post mortem his brain was autopsied and preserved for data that are applied to current amnesia retrograde patients

Question 4

Weaknesses of case studies

Answer 4

1. P-Idiographic
   E-Focuses on an individual experiencing a unique event
   E-Low G and low pop V, bc ppt or rare events could be an anomaly and only provides evidence for the individual compared to nomothetic research methods therefore its not generalisable to wider populations due to the unique nature of the event and individualised findings

2.P-Triangulation
E-Use of multiple research methods to study individual and rare event via interviews, observations, questionnaires
E-W, time consuming and expensive to accomodate for mult modes of research eg, waiting for quenstionnaires to be filled out n returned, planning interviews

3.P-Longitudinal
E-Study spans across months, years or ppts life span eg case of HM lasted 50 years of his remaining life span then post mortem studies of his brain for retrograde amnesia
E-W, expensive and time consuming to dedicate so many researchers and research methods to an individual

Question 5

Describe the case of HM- Scoville & Milner (1957)

Answer 5

• 1953- HM had brain surgery to alleviate severe epilepsy symptoms
  > Removed hippocampus
  >HM diagnosed w 1)anterograde(person cant store new info in STM) 2)retrograde (RA) amnesia (loss of mem for events occuring/ info learnt before injury)

-RA
> HM unable to retrieve mems 19months- 11 yrs prior to surgery (only partial mems after 16 to almost nothing after 25 yrs)

-AA
> STM remained normal but HM couldnt transfer new mem to LTM

-Intervs conducted by HM provided qualitative data for his cog abilities

• post mortem, brain donated and preserved to study for application to future RA patients)

Question 6

What did HM’s study teach us?

Answer 6

• Hippocampus forms mem consolidation
  > hence why he couldnt form new mems post-op
• We have motor memory (differs STM & LTM)

Question 7

HM
GRAVE-Generalisability

Answer 7

P-Low
E-HM was an individual with ‘clean’ retrograde amnesia as he only suffered from memory loss however, he wasn’t tested pre-surgery so were unware of how ‘normal’ his condition was
E-W, despite a larger population suffering from ‘clean’ amnesia, HM’s findings were individualised for his unique case of clean amnesia so not generalisable for a wider population

Question 8

HM
GRAVE-Reliability

Answer 8

P-High, standardised procedures
E-Triangulation (define this) eg.Milner and other researchers used mem tests & puzzles on HM, also post mortmem HM’s brain was autpsied and preserved for future research into RA
E-S, all showed consistency with their findings for Hm and motor memory, multiple researchers all agreed on same findings using mult modes of research so high inter-rater R

Question 9

HM
GRAVE-Application

Answer 9

P-Yes
E-Formed the idea of ‘unconscious mem’ and motor memory/ difference between STM & LTM as HM’s STM worked normally but he suffered from RA so his LTM was impaired n he couldnt recall mems 19 months- 11 yrs prior to surgery
E-S, can be applied to future RA amnesia patients

Question 10

HM
GRAVE-Validity

Answer 10

P-High (eco V)
E-Study took place in HM’s home
E-S, HM more likely to act naturally,decr deand characteristics so results more valid for patients w RA
c/a- no control over EVs, unable to establish cause & effect

P-Low (mundane realism)
E-testing using puzzles is an artificial task
E-

Question 11

HM
GRAVE-Ethics

Answer 11

P-Highly ethical
E-Only 100 researchers given access to HM’s brain post mortem, only revealed identity post mortem
E-Followed ‘respect’ principle

P-Low
E-HM suffered from RA, couldnt remeber info learned before/ after surgery so may not have remembered he was in a study , also suffered w long term psychological & physical distress
E-W, lack of debrief and informed consent so no protection from harm/ deception