1. The case study as used in the psychodynamic approach
See pages PHG text book also page19

2. ??????
How are psychodynamic case studies different from the standard case study?

3. Freud gathered qualitative data but he gathered it in his own way
Freud gathered qualitative data but he gathered it in his own way. He didn’t use questionnaires as these would not have accessed the unconscious mind.
Freud used case studies both to build a body of knowledge and as a research method.
At the same time he used this information to help cure his patients.
The people in Freud’s case studies are patients, clients and analysands rather than participants.

4. Freud used free association, dream analysis and symbol analysis as well as slips of the tongue (parapraxes) rather than conventional research methods. All these things make up psychoanalysis.
Similarities include the gathering of rich detailed data which is qualitative.

5. Evaluation of Freud’s case study research methods
The data comes directly from the individual so it is real and valid.
The data is rich and varied – an individuals differences can be studied and focused upon.
It can be used as a therapy as well as a research method.

6. Evaluation of Freud’s case study research methods
Freud himself recognised the failings of free association. It is hard to allow a stream of conscious thoughts out, as the unconscious will always try to block it.
The therapist subjectively interprets the data.
The unconscious is not measurable in a scientific way.

7. Ethical issues in case study research
The 5 ethical principles focused on for AS psychology are deceit, debriefing, right to withdraw, informed consent, protection from harm and confidentiality.
In pairs decide the ethical issues in case study research.

8. The issue of credibility with regard to Freud’s theory
Do you find Freud's theories incredible?
Erikson used Freud’s theories to focus on social development rather than sexual development which makes it more comfortable and more credible.
Masson (1984) criticised Freud on a number of issues. Freud thought that his patients were describing child abuse but then dismissed this as impossible and came up with the Oedipus complex. But maybe his patients were describing child abuse after all. Therefore Freud's theory is not credible

9. The issue of credibility with regard to Freud’s theory
Masson claimed that Freud's theory showed gender bias. He thought that boys identified with their father more strongly than girls with the mother which left girls with a weaker set of morals.
If a theory emphasises one gender over another it is called alpha bias. Feminists think that Freud’s theories are biased against women.

10. The issue of credibility with regard to Freud’s theory
Masson claimed that Freud's theory over emphasised sexual matters, which was a sensitive issue for patients. It is claimed that, in psychoanalysis feelings that the patient has for others can be transferred to the analyst. Those feelings can be feelings of love. This can lead to problems for the analysand.
Power, gender bias and sensitivity are important issues and possible problems with psychoanalysis that further bring its credibility into question.