Psychology Case Study Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What term describes using multiple methods of study to explore the same phenomenon?

Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research

Triangulation (correct)

Case Study

What is a case study?

A detailed study of an individual or group where a lot of information is collected.

How is a case study conducted?

Through interviews, psychological tests, observations, and experiments.

What kind of data is collected in a case study?

Qualitative and possibly quantitative data. Signup and view all the answers

What are the strengths of case studies? (Select all that apply)

Provide rich, in-depth data Signup and view all the answers

What is a weakness of case studies? (Select all that apply)

Take a long time for collection and analysis Signup and view all the answers

What does triangulation allow researchers to do?

Take different perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Harlow, and what was his contribution?

Harlow studied Gage's personality change after his accident, highlighting environmental influences on behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of Corkin's 1984 case study?

The case study of Henry Molaison and the effects of hippocampus removal on memory. Signup and view all the answers

What did Jim Fallon's study in 2006 reveal?

Connections between brain scans and patterns of psychopathic behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What did Sacks study in 2007?

The case of Clive Wearing and his severe memory impairments. Signup and view all the answers

What are declarative memories?

Memories of facts or events. Signup and view all the answers

What is procedural memory?

Stores information on how to perform certain procedures. Signup and view all the answers

What is short-term storage?

Holding a small amount of information actively for a short period. Signup and view all the answers

What is long-term storage?

Data that can be stored for long periods. Signup and view all the answers

What is genetic inheritance?

Transmission of genetic characters from parent to offspring. Signup and view all the answers

What is sociopathy?

A person with antisocial personality disorder. Signup and view all the answers

What is anterograde amnesia?

Loss of the ability to create new memories after the amnesia-causing event. Signup and view all the answers

What is retrograde amnesia?

Loss of memory access to events that occurred before an injury. Signup and view all the answers

What is episodic memory?

Memory of autobiographical events. Signup and view all the answers

What is semantic memory?

Portion of long-term memory that processes ideas and concepts not drawn from personal experience. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Psychology Case Studies

Triangulation: Involves using multiple research methods to investigate the same phenomenon, enhancing reliability of findings.
Case Study Overview: A qualitative research method focusing on an in-depth analysis of a person, group, or event. It is not experimental and gathers extensive data.
Conducting a Case Study: Utilizes interviews, psychological tests, observations, and involvement from family or friends. Data is analyzed for a comprehensive understanding.
Types of Data Collected: Includes both qualitative and potentially quantitative data.
Strengths of Case Studies:
- Provides rich, in-depth data often missed by other methodologies.
- Ideal for exploring rare human behaviors or unique cases.
- Allows examination of complex interactions among multiple factors, unlike controlled experiments.
Weaknesses of Case Studies:
- Time-consuming for data collection and analysis.
- Challenges in generalizing findings from single cases.
- Reliance on memory recall, which can be inaccurate.
- Subjectivity and ethical concerns regarding confidentiality.

Notable Case Studies

Harlow (1848): First case study showcasing how environmental factors can influence behavior, noted changes in personality post-accident.
Corkin (1984): Focused on Henry Molaison, whose brain surgery affected memory significantly, demonstrating distinctions between declarative and procedural memory.
Jim Fallon (2006): Investigated brain scan patterns linked to psychopathy, revealing that neurological structures do not directly correlate with sociopathic behavior.
Sacks (2007): Analyzed Clive Wearing's severe memory impairment due to brain damage, illustrating the complexities of memory systems and their biological foundations.

Memory Types and Definitions

Declarative Memories: Capture factual or event-based knowledge.
Procedural Memory: Involves skills and procedures, such as playing sports or solving puzzles.
Short-Term Storage: Holds a limited amount of information actively available for a brief period.
Long-Term Storage: Capable of retaining data for extended timeframes.

Psychological Terminology

Genetic Inheritance: The transmission of genetic traits from parents to offspring.
Sociopathy: A type of antisocial personality disorder characterized by patterns of behavior that violate societal norms.
Anterograde Amnesia: Inability to form new memories following the event causing the condition.
Retrograde Amnesia: Memory loss for events occurring before the injury or onset of amnesia.
Episodic Memory: Recollection of autobiographical experiences.
Semantic Memory: Processes concepts and ideas not based on personal experiences, part of the long-term memory system.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts related to case studies in psychology. This quiz will explore important terms and methodologies such as triangulation, qualitative research methods, and the procedures for conducting case studies. Perfect for psychology students looking to reinforce their understanding of research techniques.