Sarah Howcutt M ETHODOLOGY Q UESTION

T ODAY WE WILL ANSWER : What information needs to go into the methodology question for the psychodynamic approach? How can we explain and evaluate Freuds methods?

W HAT IS METHODOLOGY ? A) Another approach to studying psychology. B) A type of experiment. C) The theory about what counts as a useful way of studying the mind and behaviour.

W HAT IS METHODOLOGY ? A) Another approach to studying psychology. B) A type of experiment. C) The theory about what counts as a useful way of studying the mind and behaviour.

W HAT STRUCTURE DO WE NEED ? Explain Method 1 – linking it clearly to the approach Evaluate strengths of the method (2 minimum) Evaluate Weaknesses of the method (2 minimum) Explain Method 2 – linking it clearly to the approach Evaluate strengths of the method (2 minimum) Evaluate Weaknesses of the method (2 minimum) Use a paragraph for each section to keep you on track and dont forget to do this for all the methods used.

S TATE THE METHOD OF THE PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH. What methods did Freud use to theorise from Doras dream? Case study Clinical interview

C ASE STUDIES Idiographic – focuses on the UNIQUENESS of the individual patient. Study one person in great detail, using a variety of ways of finding out information Eg Clinical Interviews, Free association, Dream analysis Time intensive Any disorders are described before any treatment/therapeutic discussions. Finally there is usually an evaluation of the interpretations and successfulness of the therapy. This is the explain bit of the question.

S TRENGTHS TRUE INSIGHT into the behaviour of an individual compared to snapshot lab experiment Why a strength? Eg? QUALITATIVE DATA (views, opinions) are obtained which help us to understand behaviour. More likely to produce valid conclusions if we pend more time. Why a strength? Eg?

W EAKNESSES Cant GENERALISE findings to other people Why a weakness? Eg? Compared to quantitative data (numbers) QUALITATIVE data can be more easily interpreted in a way that suits the researchers theory. Why a weakness? Eg?

W EAKNESSES Freuds subjects were not REPRESENTATIVE of the populations as a whole. Why a weakness? Eg?

C LINICAL INTERVIEWS They are conducted individually and face-to- face in the psychodynamic approach. They have a schedule of questions but the patient can talk freely, with the therapist guiding discussion based on the patients answers

S TRENGTHS Allow for a good relationship to develop, between patient and therapist Why a strength? Eg? The therapist can observe verbal and non-verbal behaviour, eg tone and body-language. Why a strength? Eg? Clinical Interviews

W EAKNESSES Cant GENERALISE findings to other people Why a weakness? NB different from case studies Eg? Interviewer Bias – the interviewer might have an agenda Why a weakness? Eg? Clinical Interviews

A N EXAMPLE Harris and Campbell (1999) Interviewed 128 pregnant women about their pregnancy and what they thought that pregnancy would mean for them. 81% of the unplanned group and 16% of the planned group believed that the pregnancy would be good for them. WHAT DO YOU CONCLUDE FROM THIS? Examiners love examples – scores on depth and elaboration.

W OULD IT NOT BE BETTER TO USE AN EXPERIMENT ? Some of you have found Freud a bit vague and weird! He gathers QUALITATIVE DATA What are the pros and the cons of this?