The document discusses psychodynamic approaches and case study research methods. It provides details on Freud's use of case studies to develop and support his theories. Case studies allow for an in-depth examination of individuals or small groups. Freud employed techniques like dream analysis, analysis of slips of the tongue, and free association to uncover unconscious thoughts in his case studies. However, case studies are subject to limitations like lack of generalizability and issues with reliability due to subjective interpretation. The document also covers ethical considerations and guidelines for research.

1. Psychodynamic Approach
Sahithi Nymisha Kotala

2. Methodology
 Looks at case studies in general, case studies used in
his approach, correlation design, cross-sectional and
longitudinal studies and sampling techniques.

3. Case Study research method
 That allows data to be gathered in both depth and detail. Study
of an individual or group E.g. small no. of kids brought up whilst
deprived of any kind of parenting.
 Involve programs like – government funding, health promotion
 Individual/small group tend to be the focus of the study
 Depth + Detail : interviews; questionnaires; observations;
gathering as much data as possible.
 Central research ‘tool’ – history of the case, background
information (qualitative data)
 Tests and experiments are possible whilst using this method

4. Case Study Vs. Research methods
 Does not give data – it is just
a process
 Case study history is
qualitative data
 Actually methods to obtain
data within or for a case
study via interviews,
questionnaires etc
 Provides measurable data -
quantitative as well as
qualitative
Case study
Research
method

5. Triangulation
Generate themes (final
results)
+
ideas (hypothesis)
Pool data
-From a person or a different
source
- look for common ground
Reinforce data from one another

6. Case studies – scientific?
YES
o Research collects information
through study – systematically –
evidence is gathered there for
any claim by (backed up)
o Participant’s (patient/ analysand)
claim Interviews ,
questionnaires, observations are
structured.
o They are valid and reliable as the
IF it is a repeated measures
format (replicability)
o It is measurable because the
format focuses on what a person
thinks not feels
NO
o The type of data is qualitative , it
is rich in depth and detail –
ecological validity HOWEVER
without subjectivity the data can
not be analysed; making it
experimentally invalid!
o Situational variables whilst
interpreting the data – time,
place, culture, mood etc
questioning reliability and
validity!
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7. Precautions…
 Researchers deliberately search or “hunt”
for evidence
going against their prediction or work backwards from
their results
Reliability
Generasibility
Validility Application
Ethics

8. Case Studies (general analysis)
 Study of individual
or small groups
 In-depth rich data
 Mainly qualitative
data
 Use many research
methods such as
questionnaires, case
histories and
observation
 Generation of
themes
 Uses tables of
categories
 Cross – case analysis
 Some quantitative
data

9. Evaluation of case study
research methods (general)
STRENGTHS
 Data are valid because they
are in depth; detailed and
focus on real experiences in a
real situation
 A valuable research
methodology because a case
study may be the only way to
gather rich, detailed
qualitative information in
context and with meaning for
those concerned.
WEAKNESSES
 Lacks generalisibility because
they are about one individual
(for small group) only, so they
are specific rather than
general and data cannot be
applied fairly to others
 Hard to replicate, so cannot
be tested for reliability, which
means data may be
subjective and cannot be
used to build up a body of
knowledge.

10. Freud used case study methods to conduct his
research and reinforce his theories. His
research was also a therapy for his analysand
(participants)
AIM: to access the
“unconscious” mind – not
possible by standard means
Freud’s
Methods
‘Dream’ and ‘Symbol’ analysis:
interpreting dreams by hearing manifest
content (the reported dream) and
interpreting symbols to uncover the
latent content (repressed wish)
Slips of the Tongue
(Freudian slips) :
Mistakes when talking that reveal
unconscious desires
Free
association:
Allowing a stream
of consciousness to
try to access the
unconscious

11. Freud’s methods Vs. Case study method
Similarities
Focuses on qualitative data
Gathering of in-depth rich data from one person
Differences
Focuses on qualitative data
Gathering of in-depth rich data from one person

12. Freud’s case studies
(general analysis)
 Study of an individual
 In-depth, rich data
 Qualitative data
 Uses different
techniques such as slips
of the tongue, dream
analysis and free
association
 Suggesting
interpretation to
analysand
 To help to reveal
unconscious repressed
thoughts, emotions and
memories
 To make the
unconscious 
conscious
 To release the energy to
aid symptoms
 To give evidence for
Freud’s ideas

13. Stengths Vs Weaknesses
 Uses different
methods to uncover
unconscious wishes to
access by
conventional means
 Acts both as a
research method and
a therapy and allows
the analysand to be
cured
 Involves subjective
interpretation by the
analyst, so it is not
scientific
 Cannot be replicated
to test for reliability
because it focuses on
the unique
unconscious desires of
an individual and the
analysis is carried out
by one therapist

15. BPS
British Psychological society and other
professional bodies outline ethical guidelines
that must be followed in research:
 Informed consent
 Deceit
 Debriefing
 Competence
 Right to withdraw
Whatever the research method; case studies
are no exceptions

16. Confidentiality and
Privacy
All data should be kept confidential and private, it cold be
argued that the data might be valuable enough to warrant
invasion of such – BPS doesn’t support this. Unless the
analysand is willing to give consent of this information
being revealed.

17. Practitioner’s Ethics
 Competence
 Obligation
 Informed consent
 Personal conduct
 Access to health records
 Confidentiality
 Responsibility
 Safeguarding fitness to practice
 Teaching training + supervision
 Publications
 Private practice and relations with media

18. Credibility for Freud’s
studies
Masson (1989)’s criticism +psychoanalysis of Freud:
o The interpretation of the analyst can push the patient towards certain
values and goals that may not be their own, so there is an issue of the power
of the analyst over the analysand.
o There is gender bias in Freud’s work. Boys are focused on more than girls –
girls are held to have less strong identification and so weaker moral
development.
o There is undue emphasis on sexual matters, particularly where transference
occurs, which is about the patient having feelings for the analyst. This is
ethically very sensitive.
Power, gender and sexual issues are important to be
considered when the ethical implications and issues of
credibility of his work

19. Sampling Techniques
 Random Sampling
Each person in the population has an equal chance of
being chosen to be in the sample
 Stratified Sampling
Ensuring representations from certain groups
 Volunteer Sampling
People offer to take part
 Opportunity Sampling
Taking whoever is available at that time

20. Random Sampling
 Low bias because
everyone has an
equal chance of being
chosen
 Sample can be
checked
mathematically for
bias
 Cannot be certain
that the sample is
representative of all
groups/types etc
 Difficult to access all
the population so
that random
sampling can take
place

21. Stratified Sampling
 All relevant
group/strata will have
at least some
representation
 Limits the numbers of
participants needed
 It is difficult to know
how many of each
group is needed in
order to represent the
target population
accurately
 Relies on researchers
knowing all the
required groups/strata,
forces choice of
participants and
proportions of all
groups so can give bias
by excluding people

22. Volunteer Sampling
 Ethically good
because people
volunteer, so are
willing to be involved.
 More likely to
cooperate which
means there may be
less social desirability
and such biases
 Only certain types o
people may volunteer
, so there is bias.
 May take a long time
to get enough
volunteers

23. Opportunity Sampling
 More ethical because
the researcher can
judge if the participant
is llikely to be upset by
the student or is too
busy to take part.
 The researcher has
more control over who
is chosen and shouls,
therefore, be able to
get the sample quickly
and efficiently
 Only people availale
are used and they may
be a self-selected
group(e.g. not
working , so available
during the day)
 May not get
representatives from
all groups so there
may be bias