case studies Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is a case study in psychology?
A detailed and in-depth analysis of an individual, group, institution, or event.
What do case studies often analyze?
Unusual individuals or events, such as a person with a rare disorder or a sequence of events.
Can case studies focus on typical cases?
Yes, such as an elderly person’s recollections of childhood.
What type of data do case studies usually produce?
Qualitative data.
How do researchers construct a case history?
By using interviews, observations, questionnaires, or a combination of these.
Can case studies include quantitative data?
Yes, if the person is subject to experimental or psychological testing.
How long do case studies usually take?
They tend to take place over a long period of time (longitudinal).
Who may provide additional data in a case study?
Family and friends of the individual as well as the person themselves.
What is a key strength of case studies?
They offer rich, detailed insights into unusual and atypical forms of behavior.
How may case studies contribute to scientific understanding?
They can help us understand ‘typical’ functioning and may demonstrate important psychological concepts.
Can case studies help generate hypotheses?
Yes, they can generate hypotheses for future study.
What is a limitation of case studies regarding generalization?
Findings may not generalize due to small sample sizes.
Why might the validity of case studies be questioned?
Because the information is often subjective and based on interpretation, and personal accounts may be inaccurate or memory may be faulty.
What is a potential issue with childhood stories in case studies?
Family and friends’ stories may be prone to inaccuracy or memory decay.
What is a famous example of a case study’s contribution?
The case of HM demonstrated the existence of separate stores in short-term and long-term memory.
What can one contradictory instance in a case study lead to?
The revision of an entire theory.
