Case studies

Question 1

What are the pros of case studies?

3

Answer 1

• Use it when it’s unethical to use in other research
• Rich data, complex interaction of many factors studied (holistic)
• Develop relation, ^used to researcher, >demand char

Question 2

What are the cons of case studies?

2

Answer 2

• > Generalisability, each = unique

- >Objectivity, get to know case, interpret subjectively, >reliability

Question 3

How was Henry Molaison’s (HM) memory?

1

Answer 3

• Couldn’t make new ep memories but could still learn sem memories and procedural memories

Question 4

What happened to Phineas Gage?

2

Answer 4

• Iron rod passed through his head

- Damage to frontal lobe (pre-frontal cortex)

Question 5

What did Charles Whitman do?

1

Answer 5

• Killed his family, 12 others and himself in a mass shooting

Question 6

What did KF suffer from?

1

Answer 6

• Brain damage from a motorcycle accident

Question 7

What are the key features of a case study?

4

Answer 7

• Quant and qual data
• Retrospective (don’t know what they were like before)
• Idiographic (Individual experience to them)
• Longitudinal

Question 8

Which types of amnesia did HM suffer from?

2

Answer 8

• Retrograde

- Anterograde

Question 9

What was removed from HM?

1

Answer 9

• Hippocampus

Question 10

How was Phineas Gage before and after the accident?

2

Answer 10

• Hardworking, responsible, popular

- Restless, indecisive, swore a lot

Question 11

What conclusions were drawn from Phineas Gage?

2

Answer 11

• Parts of brain could be removed w/out fatal effect

- Frontal lobe important in behaviour (conscientious)

Question 12

Why may the reports of Phineas Gage not be as valid as thought to be?
1

Answer 12

• Eventually returned to normal life/responsible job, personality change = temporary

Question 13

What did Phineas Gage’s doctor note about him?

1

Answer 13

• ‘Impatient of restraint or advice when it conflicts his desires’

Question 14

What did Whitman’s suicide note read?

1

Answer 14

• “Lately I have been a victim of irrational thoughts”

Question 15

What did Charles Whitman’s autopsy later reveal?

1

Answer 15

• He had a tumour on his amygdala

Question 16

What did KF struggle to do?

1

Answer 16

• Process verbal info but his visual memory was unaffected